Welcome
to the Outdoor Journey for
Cadettes!
This document is a step-by-step guide for completing the Cadette
Outdoor Journey—it includes detailed meeting outlines and all related
resources. The Cadette Outdoor Journey consists of three badges:
Night Owl, Trailblazing, and Primitive Camper. It also includes a Take
Action project and award. You’ll find that the Cadette Outdoor Journey
is rich and robust because it covers a lot of essential skills that girls
need in order to be successful in their outdoor pursuits. To complete
the Journey, girls will complete these meetings in the following order:
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Night Owl badge (2 meetings)
Trailblazing badge (2 meetings)
Primitive Camper badge (2 meetings)
Take Action (3 meetings)
In the descriptions for each meeting, you will find callouts to “meeting
aids.” These meeting aids are grouped together, in the order in which
they will appear, at the back of this document. The content found in
this package can be downloaded and is identical to what is now
available on the Volunteer Toolkit, which means it is written to the
intended audience of an adult volunteer. We hope you will find
everything you need to facilitate these programs—and just as
importantly, we hope your Cadette Girl Scouts will find them exciting,
challenging, and fun.
Questions? Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Girl Experience
team at GSUSA at girlexperience@girlscouts.org.
Night Owl 1
OVERVIEW
Notes to Volunteers:
About the Cadette Outdoor Journey:
The Cadette Outdoor Journey consists of three badges: Night Owl, Trailblazing, Primitive Camper, and three
Take Action meetings. To complete the Journey, have girls complete the meetings in the following order:
Night Owl badge (2 meetings)
Trailblazing badge (2 meetings)
Primitive Camper badge (2 meetings)
Take Action (3 meetings)
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Night Owl Requirements: There are two meetings for Cadettes to earn their Night Owl Camper badge.
Both meetings are designed for nighttime, so make sure to coordinate both meetings for after dark. The
meeting can begin in a meeting room, but plan to take girls outdoors with adult volunteers to explore
nighttime activities.
Add an Extra Meeting: The meetings are each designed for 90 minutes. It’s perfectly OK to add a meeting
to your Outdoor Journey plan if you feel girls need more time completing the badge requirements.
Prepare to Take Girls Outside:
To earn the Night Owl badge, Cadettes will go outside to study the nighttime sky and go on a nighttime
hike. Get support from your council and GSUSA for information about best practices for Girl Scouts in
the outdoors:
Check Safety Activity Checkpoints guidelines before planning any outdoor activity.
Explore Venture Out! http://gsuniversity.girlscouts.org/resource/venture-out/, an online resource that
provides guidance to volunteers less familiar with taking girls outdoors.
Read the book Outdoor Education in Girl Scouting for helpful tips.
Read Explaining Leave No Trace in Meeting Aids: An important part of preparing girls for the outdoors
is to help them understand and embrace the seven basic principles of Leave No Trace.
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•
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Make the Most of the Outdoor Journey: Use the Talking Points (But Make Them Your Own): In each
session, you’ll find suggested talking points under the heading “SAY.” Some volunteers, especially new ones,
find it helpful to follow the script. Others use the talking points as a guide and deliver the information in their
own words. Either way is just fine.
Leave Time for the Closing: If girls are having fun doing an activity, you may be tempted to skip the Closing
Ceremony so they can keep going, but the Closing Ceremony is absolutely key to their learning. One of
the most important components of any activity is allowing time for the girls to reflect on what they have
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Night Owl 1
learned. Research shows that when you use reflection with girls, their learning and enjoyment in activities
goes up, so use reflection after activities like a hike or your campout. Ask them about how they felt during
the activity. What did they learn? How will they use what they have learned? Did any of the activities ignite a
passion that could be used for a Take Action project?
Use Girl Scouts’ Three Processes: Girl-led, learning by doing, cooperative learning: these three processes
are the key to making sure girls have fun in Girl Scouts and keep coming back. Make sure the meetings are
“girl led” to help create an experience where girls can make choices and have their voices heard. “Learning
by doing” and “cooperative learning” are built into this Journey, thanks to the hands-on activities and tips.
Read “Think-Pair-Share” in Meeting Aids: Find out how to make sure all girls are heard when making
team decisions.
Complete the Surveys: Be sure to complete the surveys in the Volunteer Toolkit about your experiences.
Your input is important! The data collected is used to enhance the program.
If You Have a Multi-Level Troop: Read Tips for Working with Multi-Level Groups for Older Girls in
Meeting Aids to get hands-on tips for how to deal with younger girl/older girl scenarios.
Prepare Ahead
Recruit extra volunteers or older girls to accompany you during outdoor nighttime activities.
Have enough flashlights or lanterns for each girl.
For Activity 1: As Girls Arrive, borrow books about nocturnal animals from a library.
Print out Leave No Trace for Older Girls in Meeting Aids, one for each girl, for Activity 2: Opening
Ceremony
Borrow astronomy books or constellation guides from the library and ask girls to bring any they might
have to the meeting for Activity 3: Night Sky Observer.
Gather supplies for Activity 4: Make a Galaxy Jar.
Get chocolate sandwich cookies for Activity 6: Moon Phase Cookies.
Print out Moon Phases in Meeting Aids, one for each girl.
Print out Say Goodnight Across the World in Meeting Aids, one for each girl, for Activity 7: Closing
Ceremony.
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Get Help from Your Family and Friends Network
Your Friends and Family Network can include:
Girls’ parents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, etc.
Other volunteers who have offered to help with the meeting
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•
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Night Owl 1
Ask your network to help:
Bring art supplies and gear
Bring a camera, smartphone, or video camera to document the meeting
Assist with activities
Volunteer to assist with nighttime activities
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Award Connection
Cadettes will not earn a badge in this meeting. They will earn their Night Owl badge at the end of Meeting 2.
Note: You can buy the Night Owl badge, one for each Cadette, from your council shop or on the Girl Scout
website.
Meeting Length
90 minutes
The times given for each activity may be different depending on how many Cadettes are in your troop,
so adjust accordingly.
Give Cadettes 10- and 5-minute warnings before they need to wrap up the last activity so you’ll have
time for the Closing Ceremony.
Some activities might require more time, so add an extra meeting if you need to.
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MATERIALS LIST
Activity 1: As Girls Arrive: Local Nocturnal Animals
Paper
Pens, pencils
Computer to research or nocturnal animal books borrowed from a library
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Activity 2: Opening Ceremony: Becoming A Night Owl
Flag
Flashlights or lanterns
Poster board/whiteboard
Print out Leave No Trace for Older Girls in Meeting Aids, one for each girl
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Activity 3: Night Sky Observer
Flashlights or lanterns
Notebook, one for each girl
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•
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Night Owl 1
• Constellation guides or astronomy books with the night sky from the library
• Pens, markers
Activity 4: Make Your Own Galaxy Jar
Clear glass jars with a lid
Cotton balls
Glitter
Acrylic paints in various blues and purples
Wooden craft sticks or skewer sticks
Water
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Activity 5: Late Night Talk Show
Index cards
2 chairs
Something that resembles a microphone (could be a hairbrush, toilet paper roll, etc.)
Poster board to make signs
Markers
Video camera with tripod (optional)
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Activity 6: Snack Break: Moon Phase Cookies
Chocolate sandwich cookies
Wooden craft sticks
Printout of Moon Phases in Meeting Aids
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Activity 7: Closing Ceremony
Copies of Say Goodnight Across the World in Meeting Aids, one for each girl
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DETAILED ACTIVITY PLAN
(Note to volunteer: You can begin this meeting in a meeting room, but will have to go outside at night for
part of the activities. If you have access to a zoo, park, or aquarium, you could also start the meeting with
the girls finding examples and facts of nocturnal animals at one of those locations.)
Activity 1: As Girls Arrive: Local Nocturnal Animals
Time Allotment
10 minutes
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Night Owl 1
Materials
Paper
Pens, pencils
Computer to research or nocturnal animal books borrowed from a library
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Steps
Welcome Cadettes and have them research nocturnal animals that live in their area.
SAY:
(Note to volunteer: If you have a computer available, have girls do some quick research about nocturnal
animals that live in their area. They can also do research from the library books you bring to the meeting.)
Make a list of animals that are nocturnal, or only come out at night. But make sure these are only animals
that live in your area. It could be an owl, raccoon, deer, rabbit, opossum, coyote, skunk, a house cat, bat, fox,
or anything you might see roaming at nighttime or that you find out lives in your area.
You can make your list alone or work together as a team.
Activity 2: Opening Ceremony: Becoming a Night Owl
Time Allotment
10 minutes
Materials
Flag
Flashlights or lanterns
Poster board/whiteboard
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Steps
Recite the Pledge of Allegiance and the Promise and Law.
Turn off all the lights, and use flashlights and/or lanterns to create dim lighting.
Talk to Cadettes about Leave No Trace and how the world may be different at night.
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SAY:
Most of you try and get things done while it’s light outside—you go to school during the day, do activities
outdoors while it’s light out, and begin to wind down as the sun sets.
But there’s a whole world that comes alive after dark.
For this badge, you’ll find out more about what happens when the stars come out, and how the world looks
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Night Owl 1
after dark.
Turn off the lights in the meeting room. Give each girl a flashlight or lantern.
SAY:
Before you begin, there are a few safety rules for this meeting since you’ll be exploring outside at nighttime.
First, if anyone feels scared, please let an adult know immediately.
Second, each of you should carry a flashlight when you go outside so you can find your way.
Third, always use the buddy system or stick together as a group.
And finally, make sure to keep nature safe when you go outdoors.
Have girls take turns reading out loud the principles on the Leave No Trace handout.
SAY:
What are some of the things that you can see or do at night that you can’t do during the day? Who has
something they like to do at night? (Girls might say: stargaze, enjoy nature, listen to crickets, etc.)
As you arrived, you researched nocturnal animals that you may only see or hear at night that live in your
area. These are nighttime animals you might see or have already seen. Share those.
Have girls share the animals they researched and write them on a poster board or white board. Save this list
for Meeting 2.
SAY:
Are any of these animals endangered or in protected status?
What is being done to protect them?
(If girls aren’t sure, have them do additional research and report back at the next meeting.)
Activity 3: Night Sky Observer
Time Allotment
20 minutes
Materials
Flashlights or lanterns
Notebook, one for each girl
Constellation guides or astronomy books from the library
Pens, markers
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•
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Night Owl 1
Steps
Go outside for a short night hike—can be a city or park, but girls should be able to see the stars.
Girls try to find north, south, east or west by observing stars in the sky.
Have girls write a quick story about a constellation in the nighttime sky.
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SAY:
What do you think explorers thought when they first saw the stars?
To help make sense of what they saw, they created names for the stars and groupings of stars.
Show girls the different star formations for each hemisphere in a constellation guide before heading outside:
North Star - Polaris (Northern Hemisphere)
Constellation Orion (can usually see in winter and early spring—to find East and West)
Crux, the Southern Cross (South)
SAY:
First, you’ll use the stars to navigate.
Before we had a GPS or compass, navigators used the stars to find their direction. You can find north, south,
east or west by learning about a few stars and constellations. See if you can do it when you go outside.
The way the earth rotates makes the stars in the sky rotate from east to west. The way a star moves from its
original position is how you know the direction you’re facing.
Give each girl notebooks and markers. With the flashlights, walk to a nearby outdoor spot, and let girls
observe the sky.
SAY:
Now that you’ve observed the night sky, did anyone find a star formation that indicated a location? What
was it?
When you find a constellation, draw it and make a few notes about it. If you’re not sure what the grouping is
called, name it something and research later what it is.
Also, write down words or phrases saying how you feel about the nighttime. Write each thing on a separate
page. You’ll use it for your next activity. Write things like: What did you smell? What did you see? What word
or words describes the experience for you?
Give girls a few minutes to write in their journal.
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Night Owl 1
Activity 4: Make Your Own Galaxy Jar
Time Allotment
15 minutes
Materials
Clear glass jars with a lid
Cotton balls
Glitter
Acrylic paints in various blues and purples
Wooden craft sticks or skewer sticks
Water
Notebooks from previous activity
Pens, pencils
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Steps
Cadettes make their own galaxy jar.
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SAY:
You will now capture your feelings about nighttime by making galaxy jars. These can stay in your room to
remind you of being outside at night.
From their notebooks, remove each page they wrote words or phrases on and fold each one.
Give each girl a glass jar. Have them fill it about 1/4 full of water.
Tell them to add glitter, acrylic paint, and stir with a stick.
Then add a handful of cotton balls to absorb the liquid.
Have them add their folded-up papers into the jars.
Repeat the process with a different color, until the jar is full. It should look like a night sky when it is finished.
Activity 5: Late Night Talk Show
Time Allotment
20 minutes
Materials
Index cards
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© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Night Owl 1
• 2 chairs
• Something that resembles a microphone (could be a hairbrush, toilet paper roll, etc.)
• Poster board to make signs
• Markers
• Video camera with tripod (optional)
Steps
Cadettes put on a late night talk show to interview someone who works late night hours.
SAY:
You’ve talked about nocturnal animals and have felt what it’s like to be outside during late hours. Now think
about people who work nighttime hours. Can you name some people who might have to work a night shift?
Possible answers:
• Doctors and nurses
• Police
• Firefighters
• Bakers
• All-night restaurant workers
• TV news anchor
• Airplane and airport staff
• Nighttime radio host
• Astronomer
Now you’ll act out being a late night talk show host interviewing an astronomer!
Have Cadettes volunteer for each of these roles:
1–2 Cadettes to decide on the name of the talk show
2 Cadettes to be the “hosts” and ask the questions to the guest
1 Cadette to write and give an introduction to the talk show
1 Cadette to play the “producer” and signal the audience when they give applause
(If using a video camera) 1 Cadette to record the show and work the camera
Cadettes to be the “studio” audience
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SAY:
Think about some questions your talk show host might have for the astronomer and write one question per
index card.
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Night Owl 1
Then stage a late night talk show to interview her about what she does.
Sample interview questions to share with girls (but encourage them to do make up their own questions and
answers):
What does an astronomer do?
Why did you want to be one?
What kind of classes did you take and degree did you need to get in order to become an astronomer?
Have you ever discovered anything or seen something unusual in the sky?
What’s the most exciting thing about the night sky?
Do you work at night or during the day?
Have Cadettes decide on roles—help them put on the talk show, but let them direct and lead the activity.
They can make signs and sets with the poster board, and use the “microphones” for the interview.
Time the interview so it’s about seven minutes and have the “producer” wrap up the show.
Activity 6: Snack Break: Moon Phase Cookies
Time Allotment
10 minutes
Materials
Chocolate sandwich cookies
Wooden craft sticks
Printout of Moon Phases in Meeting Aids, one for each girl
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Steps
Cadettes use snack time to learn the phases of the moon.
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SAY:
Before you eat your snack, separate your cookies, and using the wooden stick, try to create each phase of
the Moon on the poster/handout.
Try to make a:
• New Moon
• Waning or Waxing Crescent
• Waning or Waxing Gibbous
• Half Moon
• Full Moon
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Night Owl 1
Activity 7: Closing Ceremony
Time Allotment
5 minutes
Materials
Printout of Say Goodnight Across the World in Meeting Aids, one for each girl
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Steps
Cadettes talk about nighttime activities, careers, and Take Action.
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SAY:
As you earn badges this year, think about how you can use the skills you are learning to Take Action.
Can you think of ways to make sure that nocturnal animals remain safe?
Could you think of ways to promote safety during nighttime hours?
What about teaching others about nighttime activities?
Write down the girls’ Take Action ideas throughout the year as they work on badges. You’ll use this list later
to remind them of their ideas and help them choose one to do.
SAY:
What did you like most about working on the Night Owl badge so far?
What kind of career could you have if you liked working at night? (Girls may say: Work in events,
transportation, retail, hotels, firefighter or police, etc.)
In our next meeting you’ll have a nighttime party, so come dressed in a white shirt! Or wear something white,
like sneakers or a hat.
End the meeting by having girls says goodnight in a different language, using Say Goodnight Across the
World from Meeting Aids.
(Note to volunteer: Remind adults during pick up that girls will need to come dressed in a white T-shirt or
wear something white to the next meeting.)
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Night Owl 2
OVERVIEW
Notes to Volunteers:
Night Owl Badge Requirements: There are two meetings for Cadettes to earn their Night Owl badge.
Both meetings are designed for nighttime, so make sure to coordinate both meetings for after dark. The
meeting can begin in a meeting room, but plan to take girls outdoors with adult volunteers to explore
nighttime activities.
Add an Extra Meeting: The meetings are each designed for 90 minutes. It’s perfectly OK to add a meeting
to your Outdoor Journey plan if you feel girls need more time completing the badge requirements.
Prepare to Take Girls Outside:
To earn the Night Owl badge, Cadettes will go outside to study the nighttime sky and go on a nighttime
hike. Get support from your council and GSUSA for information about best practices for Girl Scouts in
the outdoors:
Check Safety Activity Checkpoints guidelines before planning any outdoor activity.
Explore Venture Out! http://gsuniversity.girlscouts.org/resource/venture-out/, an online resource that
provides guidance to volunteers less familiar with taking girls outdoors.
Read the book Outdoor Education in Girl Scouting for helpful tips.
Read Explaining Leave No Trace in Meeting Aids: An important part of preparing girls for the outdoors
is helping them understand and embrace the seven basic principles of Leave No Trace.
•
•
•
•
Make the Most of the Outdoor Journey: Use the Talking Points (But Make Them Your Own): In each
session, you’ll find suggested talking points under the heading “SAY.” Some volunteers, especially new ones,
find it helpful to follow the script. Others use the talking points as a guide and deliver the information in their
own words. Either way is just fine.
Leave Time for the Closing: If girls are having fun doing an activity, you may be tempted to skip the Closing
Ceremony so they can keep going, but the Closing Ceremony is absolutely key to their learning. One of
the most important components of any activity is allowing time for the girls to reflect on what they have
learned. Research shows that when you use reflection with girls, their learning and enjoyment in activities
goes up, so use reflection after activities like a hike or your campout. Ask them about how they felt during
the activity. What did they learn? How will they use what they have learned? Did any of the activities ignite a
passion that could be used for a Take Action project?
Use Girl Scouts’ Three Processes: Girl-led, learning by doing, cooperative learning: these three processes
are the key to making sure girls have fun in Girl Scouts and keep coming back. Make sure the meetings are
“girl led” to help create an experience where girls can make choices and have their voices heard. “Learning
by doing” and “cooperative learning” are built into this Journey, thanks to the hands-on activities and tips.
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Night Owl 2
Read “Think-Pair-Share” in Meeting Aids: Find out how to make sure all girls are heard when making
team decisions.
Complete the Surveys: Be sure to complete the surveys in the Volunteer Toolkit about your experiences.
Your input is important! The data collected is used to enhance the program.
Prepare Ahead
Recruit extra volunteers or older girls to accompany you during outdoor nighttime activities.
Bring poster board of nocturnal animals girls researched from Meeting 1.
Find photos showing the reflection in the eyes of nocturnal animals taken at night for Activity 2.
Have enough flashlights or lanterns for each girl.
Remind girls to wear white T-shirts or something white (shoes or hat) to the next meeting.
Gather snacks and supplies for activities, including the party.
Purchase Night Owl badges, one for each girl.
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Get Help from Your Family and Friends Network
Your Friends and Family Network can include:
Girls’ parents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, etc.
Other volunteers who have offered to help with the meeting
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•
Ask your network to help:
Bring art supplies and gear
Bring snacks and supplies for the nighttime party
Bring a music source
Bring a camera, smartphone, or video camera to document the meeting
Volunteer to assist with nighttime party and activities
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Award Connection
Cadettes will earn their Night Owl badge at the end of this meeting.
Note: You can buy the Night Owl badge, one for each Cadette, from your council shop or on the
Girl Scout website.
Meeting Length
90 minutes
The times given for each activity may be different depending on how many Cadettes are in your troop,
so adjust accordingly.
•
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Night Owl 2
Cadettes 10- and 5-minute warnings before they need to wrap up the last activity so you’ll have
• Give
time for the Closing Ceremony.
• Some activities might require more time, so add an extra meeting if you need to.
MATERIALS LIST
Activity 1: As Girls Arrive: Create Nocturnal Animals
Small poster board, one for each girl
Glow in the dark markers or paint
Poster board of nocturnal animals girls researched in Meeting 1
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Activity 2: Opening Ceremony: Nature at Night
Flag
Flashlights and/or lanterns
Photo or photos of animals’ eye at nighttime showing white reflective eyes (from a library book or
online)
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Activity 3: Night Eyes Trail
Sheets of tinfoil, enough for each pair of girls
Scissors, for each pair of girls
Glue or tape
Poster boards from Activity 1
Light source: flashlight or smartphone light
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Activity 4: Sweet Sky Snack
Marshmallows
Toothpicks or skewer sticks
Healthy snacks for the party: trail mix, juice, fruit and vegetables
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Activity 5: Have a Nighttime Party
Glow-in-the-dark Animal Posters from Activity 1: As Girls Arrive
Constellation tubes and flashlights
Music
Blacklight (so the paint and white shirts glow)
Glow necklaces or sticks
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© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Night Owl 2
Activity 6: Flashlight Tag
Flashlights
Music
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Activity 7: Closing Ceremony and Badge Awards
Night Owl badges, one for each girl
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DETAILED ACTIVITY PLAN
(Note to volunteers: You can hold this meeting in a meeting room, but will need to go outside for the Night
Eyes Trail in Activity 3. Try to hold your Nighttime Party outdoors, too.)
Activity 1: As Girls Arrive: Create Nocturnal Animals
Time Allotment
10 minutes
Materials
Small poster board, one for pair of girls
Glow in the dark markers or paint
Poster board of nocturnal animals girls researched in Meeting 1
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Steps
Welcome Cadettes and have them use glow in the dark markers or paint to create one of the nocturnal
animals in the area.
SAY:
At our last meeting, you came up with a list of nocturnal animals that live in our area.
I’ll assign each pair of you one of those animals to draw on a poster board.
Try to keep it true to size. If you can only do the head, say of a deer, then that’s OK. If it’s a mouse, draw the
whole thing. What’s important is we need to be able to see the eyes of the animal you’re drawing.
Assign each pair of girls an animal to draw from the nocturnal animals list.
Activity 2: Opening Ceremony: Nature at Night
Time Allotment
5 minutes
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Night Owl 2
Materials
Photo or photos of animals’ eye at nighttime showing white reflective eyes (from a library book or
online)
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Steps
Recite the Pledge of Allegiance and the Promise and Law.
Talk to girls about how animals see in the dark.
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SAY:
As we talked about last meeting, nocturnal animals only come out at night. They have to find food and hunt
prey. But how do they see in the dark?
It’s all in how their eyes are designed.
Our eyes are designed so that we can see color and function in bright light. Nocturnal animals have eyes
designed for nighttime vision and they can barely see colors, if at all. Most nocturnal animals also have large
eyes. For example, the giant squid can see pretty much everything in the pitch black of the ocean’s depth out
of an eye that’s the size of a dinner plate.
Many nocturnal animals have something behind the retina of their eye called Tapetum Lucidum. This is
highly reflective tissue, and acts like a mirror or tinfoil by bouncing light and creating what looks like a white
reflection from the eyes of nocturnal animals.
Show girls a photo or photos of what this looks like.
Activity 3: Night Eyes Trail
Time Allotment
25 minutes
Materials
Sheets of tinfoil, enough for each pair of girls
Scissors, for each pair of girls
Glue or tape
Poster boards from Activity 1
Light source: flashlight or smartphone light
•
•
•
•
•
Steps
Girls cut out eyes from nocturnal animal posters and glue or tape tinfoil where the eyes were.
•
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Night Owl 2
go outdoors to create a Night Eyes Trail with their nocturnal animals and do a quick walk through
• Girls
the trail with their flashlights.
SAY:
Team up with your partner and cut the eyes out of the nocturnal animal on your poster board.
Replace what was your animal’s eyes with tinfoil. Glue or tape the tinfoil to the back of your poster board.
When girls are done, have them go outside and place or prop their boards in places to create a trail with
their animals. To prop or hang boards, use rope to tie them around an object, or chairs or trees to lean them
on. You want girls to place the animals at a level where the animal would be seen.
For example, a deer’s eyes would end up being about 4–5 five feet from the ground. A mouse—1 inch
from the ground. A skunk or rabbit—6” from the ground. A raccoon—1 foot from the ground. An owl can
be in a tree.
SAY:
Set up a nighttime trail with your nocturnal animals. Place your animal somewhere—and at a level—where
you think it would be hanging out.
When girls have finished creating the Night Eyes Trail, have them walk through it in teams with their
flashlights to spot the different animals and say what they are.
Make sure girls take poster boards back to meeting room or area where you’ll hold your nighttime party.
Activity 4: Sweet Sky Snack
Time Allotment
10 minutes
Materials
Marshmallows
Toothpicks or skewer sticks
Healthy snacks for the party: trail mix, juice, fruit and vegetables
•
•
•
Steps
Cadettes recreate constellations using marshmallows and toothpicks.
SAY:
Last meeting you drew a constellation. Try to recreate one for our Glow Party.
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Night Owl 2
Cadettes link marshmallows (representing the stars) with toothpicks or skewers.
Put them on plates and save to eat during the party.
Activity 5: Have a Nighttime Party
Time Allotment
25 minutes
Materials
Glow-in-the-dark Nocturnal Animal posters (from Activity 3)
Music
Black light (so the paint and white shirts glow)
Glow necklaces or sticks
•
•
•
•
Steps
Cadettes have a glow party.
•
SAY:
Now that we have nocturnal animals watching us, let’s get this party started! Feel free to mingle around,
dance, have snacks, and check out everyone’s amazing work today.
Activity 6: Flashlight Tag
Time Allotment
10 minutes
Materials
Flashlights
Music
•
•
Steps
Cadettes play flashlight tag.
One of you will keep your flashlight on while everyone else hides. When I start the music, the girl with the
flashlight must find another girl, tag her as “it.” Then the “it” girl turns on her flashlight and finds another girl
to tag. And on it goes until I stop the music.
Make sure after the “it” girl tags another girl, she keeps her flashlight on so she doesn’t get tagged again.
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Night Owl 2
Activity 7: Closing Ceremony
Time Allotment
5 minutes
Materials
Night Owl badges, one for each girl
•
Steps
Cadettes get their Night Owl badges and brainstorm more Take Action project ideas.
•
SAY:
As you earn badges this year, think about how you can use the skills you are learning to Take Action.
For example, you could encourage people at home and in businesses to “power down” at nighttime by
making sure everything is turned off and unplugged.
What did you learn from this badge?
What will you take away with you and use in your everyday life?
Write down any of the girls’ Take Action ideas. You’ll use this list later to remind them of their ideas and help
them choose one to do.
End the meeting by giving each girl her Night Owl badge. Have girls do a high-five, cheer, or friendship
squeeze.
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Trailblazing 1
OVERVIEW
Notes to Volunteers:
Trailblazing Requirements: There are two meetings for Cadettes to earn their Trailblazing badge. Meeting
1 can be held in a meeting room, but girls must go outdoors for a 20-minute hike to test carrying their gear.
Meeting 2 is designed to be held at a campsite location while girls are camping.
Add an Extra Meeting: The meetings are each designed for 90 minutes. It’s perfectly OK to add a meeting
to your Outdoor Journey plan if you feel girls need more time completing the badge requirements.
Prepare to Take Girls Outside:
To earn the Trailblazing badge, Cadettes must go camping in a backcountry area. Get support from your
council and GSUSA for information about best practices for Girl Scouts in the outdoors:
Check Safety Activity Checkpoints guidelines before planning any camping trip or outdoor activity.
Look for camping videos and more in the “Outdoor Resources” on the GSUSA website
http://www.girlscouts.org/en/adults/volunteer/volunteer-resources/outdoor-resources.html.
Explore Venture Out! http://gsuniversity.girlscouts.org/resource/venture-out/, an online resource that
provides guidance to volunteers less familiar with taking girls outdoors.
Read the book Outdoor Education in Girl Scouting for helpful tips.
Read Girl Scout Readiness in Camping in Meeting Aids to get progressive camping tips, from firsttime campers to girls who are more experienced campers.
Check out the Outdoor Progression Chart here. https://www.girlscouts.org/content/dam/girlscoutsgsusa/forms-and-documents/for-adults/volunteer/GSUSA_OutdoorProgression.pdf
Read Explaining Leave No Trace in Meeting Aids: An important part of preparing girls for the outdoors
is to help them understand and embrace the seven basic principles of Leave No Trace.
Go to the Leave No Trace website https://lnt.org/teach/leave-no-trace-every-kid to find teaching
resources and fun nature camping activities.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Make the Most of the Outdoor Journey: Use the Talking Points (But Make Them Your Own): In each
session, you’ll find suggested talking points under the heading “SAY.” Some volunteers, especially new ones,
find it helpful to follow the script. Others use the talking points as a guide and deliver the information in their
own words. Either way is just fine.
Leave Time for the Closing: If girls are having fun doing an activity, you may be tempted to skip the Closing
Ceremony so they can keep going—but the Closing Ceremony is absolutely key to their learning. One of
the most important components of any activity is allowing time for the girls to reflect on what they have
learned. Research shows that when we use reflection with girls, their learning and enjoyment in activities
goes up, so use reflection after activities like a hike or your campout. Ask them about how they felt during
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Trailblazing 1
the activity. What did they learn? How will they use what they have learned? Did any of the activities ignite a
passion that could be used for a Take Action project?
Use Girl Scouts’ Three Processes: Girl-led, learning by doing, cooperative learning—these three processes
are the key to making sure girls have fun in Girl Scouts and keep coming back. “Learning by doing” and
“cooperative learning” are built into this Journey, thanks to the hands-on activities and tips. You’ll also find
specific “keep it girl-led” tips in the meeting plans. They’ll help you create an experience where girls know
they can make choices and have their voices heard.
Read “Think-Pair-Share” in Meeting Aids: Find out how to make sure all girls are heard when making
team decisions.
Complete the Surveys: Be sure to complete the surveys in the Volunteer Toolkit about your experiences.
Your input is important! The data collected is used to enhance the program.
If You Have a Multi-Level Troop: Read Tips for Working with Multi-Level Groups for Older Girls in
Meeting Aids to get hands-on tips for how to deal with younger girl/older girl scenarios.
Prepare Ahead
Create and print out the following questionnaire for Activity 1: As Girls Arrive, one for each Cadette:
•
Cadette Camper Experience
o Have you ever been camping? If so, what kind?
o What would you miss most on a backcountry camping trip without electricity and running water?
oWhat excites you the most about going on a backcountry camping trip without electricity and
running water?
Leave No Trace for Older Girls handout from Meeting Aids, one for each Cadette, for Activity 3:
• Print
Leave No Trace.
Activity 4: Trailblazing Trip Planning: Across the top of a white board or poster board, write: “Camp
• For
Questions” and “Camp Plan.” Under “Camp Questions” write: Where will you go? When will you go? How
will you get there? What kind of gear will you bring? How will you wash and get water? What will you
eat? How will you prepare your food? Are any permits needed? How much will the trip cost, and how
will your group pay for it?
snack items for Activity 5: No-Bake Energy Snack. Check in advance for any food allergies girls
• Gather
might have.
Activity 6: Get Trailblazing Strong, girls will have to bring a backpack and gear to the meeting and go
• For
on a hike. Send an email out in advance to parents asking that girls make a trip to a gear supply store to
find out about camping equipment before your first meeting. Then request Cadettes bring camp gear
items to the meeting, such as:
o Reusable water bottle
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Trailblazing 1
o Flashlight with extra batteries
o Long-sleeved jacket
o Poncho or raincoat
o Closed-toe shoes
o Sun protection: hat with a brim, sunscreen, lip balm, and sunglasses
o First aid kit
o Pocket potty (plastic sealable bags, trowel, toilet paper)
o Toilet paper
o Any medications you may need (inhaler, EpiPen)
o Emergency food (such as trail mix or granola bars)
o Whistle
o Matches in a waterproof container
o Rope
o Bug spray
o Sleeping bag/sleeping pad
o Dutch oven or cook pots
o Cooler to hold food
o Cooking utensils
o Mess kit/utensils/cup/dunk bag
o Battery-operated or propane lantern
o Socks
o Backpack or duffel bag
o Compass and map of the area
Get Help from Your Family and Friends Network
Your Friends and Family Network can include:
Girls’ parents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, etc.
Other volunteers who have offered to help with the meeting or camping trip
•
•
Ask your network to help:
Bring art and camping supplies and gear for meetings
Bring camping equipment and gear for a camp out
Bring a camera, smartphone, or video camera to document the meetings and camp out
Assist with camping activities in meetings
•
•
•
•
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Trailblazing 1
• Help plan the menu for camping trip and do the shopping in advance
• Volunteer to go on troop campouts
Award Connection
Cadettes will not earn a badge in this meeting. They will earn their Trailblazing badge at the end of Meeting 2.
Note: You can buy the Trailblazing badge, one for each Cadette, from your council shop or on the Girl Scout
website.
Meeting Length
90 minutes
The times given for each activity may be different depending on how many Cadettes are in your troop,
so adjust accordingly.
Give Cadettes 10- and 5-minute warnings before they need to wrap up the last activity so you’ll have
time for the Closing Ceremony.
Some activities might require more time, so add an extra meeting if you need to.
•
•
•
MATERIALS LIST
Activity 1: As Girls Arrive: Cadette Camper Experience
Printout of Cadette Camper Experience, one for each Cadette
Pens, pencils
•
•
Activity 2: Opening Ceremony: Welcome to Trailblazing!
Flag
Girls’ Cadette Camper Experience from Activity 1
•
•
Activity 3: Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace handout, one for each Cadette
•
Activity 4: Trailblazing Trip Planning
Paper
Pencils
White board or poster board with “camping questions” and “camping plan” written on top. Under
camping questions, write: Where? When? Budget? Permits? Gear?
•
•
•
Activity 5: Snack Break: No-Bake Energy Snack
This list suggests ingredients girls can use to make a No-Bake Energy snack. Make sure to be aware of
•
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Trailblazing 1
any food allergies girls might have.
o Rolled oats
o Puffed brown rice cereal
o Granola
o Almond butter
o Dried cranberries
o Raisins
o Slivered almonds
o Shredded toasted coconut flakes
o Maple syrup or honey
o Chocolate chips
o Sunflower or pumpkin seeds
o Almond or vanilla extract
o Wax paper
o Bowls for mixing, enough for each girl
• Pen and paper for camp menu planning
Activity 6: Get Trailblazing Strong
Backpack with gear that Cadettes brought to the meeting
Hiking outfit including shoes
•
•
Activity 7: Closing Ceremony: Camp Character and Kapers
Pen and paper to write down kapers.
•
DETAILED ACTIVITY PLAN
(Note to volunteers: You can hold this meeting in a meeting room or outdoors.)
Activity 1: As Girls Arrive: Cadette Camper Experience
Time Allotment
5 minutes
Materials
Printout of Cadette Camper Experience, one for each Cadette
Pens, pencils
•
•
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Trailblazing 1
Steps
Welcome Cadettes and have them fill out the Cadette Camper Experience.
SAY:
Take a minute to fill out the Cadette Camper Experience and get ready to share some of your camp
memories and skills.
Activity 2: Opening Ceremony: Welcome to Trailblazing!
Time Allotment
10 minutes
Materials
Flag
Girls’ Cadette Camper Experience from Activity 1
•
•
Steps
Recite the Pledge of Allegiance and the Promise and Law.
Cadettes share camping experiences and talk about what trailblazing means.
•
•
SAY:
You’ll be earning your Trailblazing badge, which means you’ll be planning and taking an overnight
backpacking trip.
How often have you wanted to explore the woods, cook over an open fire, pitch a tent, sleep under stars and
listen to the night sounds? Words like this were written in a Girl Scout handbook from 1963, which tells you
that camping and outdoor adventures have part of the Girl Scout experience for a long time.
Share what you filled out when you arrived about your camping experience:
Have you ever been camping? If so, what kind?
(Possible answers: Backyard, at a campsite, backpacking, multi-day camping)
What would you miss most on an overnight backpacking trip without electricity and water?
(Possible answers: Cell phone service, a flush toilet, a shower, sleeping in a regular bed)
What excites you most about going on an overnight backpacking trip without electricity and water?
(Possible answers: Being in the wild, cooking meals, going backpacking, seeing things in nature)
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Trailblazing 1
Activity 3: Leave No Trace
Time Allotment:
10 minutes
Materials:
Leave No Trace for Older Girls handout, one for each Cadette
•
Steps:
Have girls talk about ways they will protect nature while camping in the backcountry.
•
SAY:
When you went camping before, what do you remember about Leave No Trace? How did you practice the
seven Leave No Trace principles during your trip?
Let’s go over the Leave No Trace principles, which you’ll be using on your Trailblazing trip.
I’ll name the principle and you share what you think it means.
Plan Ahead.
(Answer: Plan ahead and be prepared so you leave nothing behind and protect nature. For example: You will
store your food in containers and protect it from wildlife. You will find out about your campsite in advance,
for example, where will you trash your trash? Get water? Build a fire? Go on a hike?)
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces.
(Answer: Walk only on paths and hard, compact surfaces. Be careful not to step on plants and flowers. Stay
on established trails. Camp at established campsites whenever possible.)
Dispose of Waste Properly.
(Answer: Pack out what you carry in including all trash, leftover food and toilet paper, dig cat holes for
waste.)
Leave What You Find.
(Answer: Leave nature as it is, which means leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
Don’t build structures, dig ditches or cut healthy trees or bushes.
Minimize Campfire Impacts.
(Answer: Campfires are a special part of a Girl Scout’s outdoor experience. If you do build a campfire, keep
it small and make sure it doesn’t harm any plants or wildlife. Use an established fire ring, if available. Did you
bring your permit, if needed? Keep your fire small, and put it out properly.)
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Trailblazing 1
Respect Wildlife.
(Answer: Don’t approach, feed, or follow any animals—watch them from a distance.)
Be Considerate of Other Visitors.
(Answer: Respect other visitors so they have a good experience in the outdoors, too. Yield to other users on
the trail, camp away from trails and other visitors, keep your voice and noise level down.)
Activity 4: Trailblazing Trip Planning
Time Allotment
25 minutes
Materials
Paper
Pencils
White board or poster board with “camping questions” and “camping plan” written on top. Under
camping questions, write: Where? When? Budget? Permits or Reservations Needed? Gear?
•
•
•
Steps
Show Cadettes the two columns on the board; explain they will break into teams to do some planning.
Break Cadettes into teams of three to four each.
Have them discuss and write up a plan for their camping trip using the questions as a guide.
When they finish, gather girls to go over their camping trip goals and make a plan as a group.
•
•
•
•
SAY:
You will break up into teams and come up with answers to these items and share when you’re done.
Your gear is part of camping planning. You’ll talk more about gear later, so skip that question.
Here’s what you’ll figure out with your group:
• Where do you want to go?
• When do you want to go?
• Will you need reservations? Permits? Are campfires allowed?
is your budget? What kind of money earning will you need to do? Do you want to use your troop’s
• What
Girl Scout Cookie money?
When the girls are done, write their answers on the board as they volunteer their suggestions.
Come up with a group decision about where to go, when, and what type of budget it will take. Don’t worry
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Trailblazing 1
about getting into details about a menu plan or about the campsite.
Give the girls a chance to talk about ideas they like (or don’t like).
Activity 5: Snack Break: No-Bake Energy Snack
Time Allotment
25 minutes
Materials
This list suggests ingredients girls can use to make a No-Bake Energy snack. Make sure to be aware of
any food allergies girls might have.
•
o Rolled oats
o Puffed brown rice cereal
o Granola
o Almond butter
o Dried cranberries
o Raisins
o Slivered almonds
o Shredded toasted coconut flakes
o Maple syrup or honey
o Chocolate chips
o Sunflower or pumpkin seeds
o Almond or vanilla extract
o Wax paper
o Bowls for mixing, enough for each girl
• Pen and paper for camp menu planning
Steps
Cadettes learn how to make a no-bake energy snack.
SAY:
You’ll need fast fuel when you’re on your trip, especially when you’re backpacking or on a hike. Energy bars
are the best source for a quick pick-me-up.
Experiment with some of the ingredients here to make something you can roll into a snack and freeze (for up
to seven days) in the fridge for your trip.
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Trailblazing 1
Feel free to snack on what’s here and do taste tests while you’re working!
The honey, syrup and almond butter are a way to combine and make your bar’s condiments stick together.
(Note to volunteer: Have girls take home their energy snack to put in a fridge or freezer or recreate
something like it before their trip.)
SAY:
You’ll need meals that are not only energy-packed but lightweight. You’ll need to know which foods pack the
best and which ones need to be repackaged.
Plan a menu based on what you need to eat to keep you energized and satisfied. Share some ideas!
Write down ideas for a quick meal, such as a one-pot meal.
SAY:
Before your trip, make sure to ask friends and family who are camping experts what meals they suggest,
too!
Activity 6: Get Trailblazing Strong
Time Allotment
20 minutes
Materials
Backpack with gear that Cadettes brought to the meeting
Hiking outfit including shoes
•
•
Steps
Cadettes pack their backpacks at home and bring to the meeting to carry and test their endurance on
a short hike.
•
SAY:
Camping out can be hard work and you may need to hike to your campsite. Are you ready to carry your
supplies over the distances and terrain you’ll travel? Can you work with your trailblazing companions?
We’re going to head outdoors and take a short hike with your camping gear.
Take girls outdoors for a 20-minute hike with their gear. When you’re back, ask girls how they felt about their
energy and what they plan to do before their trip.
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Trailblazing 1
SAY:
How did everyone do? Did you get tired faster than you thought?
Is there anything you can plan to do to build stamina before your trip? (Possible answers: Take long walks.
Build endurance with weights. Hike or jog with friends. Work out in a fitness center at a community center or
at school.)
Exercise is important—but it’s also important to know when to give your body a break. Practice listening to
your body when it wants to slow down and conserve energy.
Activity 7: Closing Ceremony: Camp Character and Kapers
Time Allotment
5 minutes
Materials
Pen and paper (or poster board) to write down kapers.
•
Steps
Cadettes sit in a circle, talk about camp character and volunteer for kapers.
•
SAY:
One of the things you’ll need to do on your camping trip is get along with others.
There are certain characteristics in a person that can help in a group setting. I’ll name what it is and you tell
me how it might help on a camp out:
• Being open minded.
• Being flexible.
• Sharing hard work.
• Being able to admit when you’re wrong.
• Respecting the rights of others.
• Being responsible.
• Being self-motivated.
Now I’ll read some campsite chores and write your name next to ones you want to do. You can volunteer for
more than one thing!
• Make snacks.
• Prepare meals.
• Clean up cooking area.
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
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Trailblazing 1
• Fire builder.
• Fire extinguisher.
• Set table for meals.
• Clean up after meals.
• Fill pots for dishwashing.
• Clean and dry dishes.
• Help set up sleeping bags or tents.
• Help take down sleeping bags or tents.
• Pack up kitchen area before you leave.
• Clean up campsite area before you leave.
• Set up washing area with water and buckets.
Can you think of more kapers?
End the meeting with a Friendship Squeeze.
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Trailblazing 2
OVERVIEW
Notes to Volunteers:
Trailblazing Requirements: There are two meetings for Cadettes to earn their Trailblazing badge. Meeting 2
is designed to be held at a campsite location while girls are camping.
Add an Extra Meeting: The meetings are each designed for 90 minutes. It’s perfectly OK to add a meeting
to your Outdoor Journey plan if you feel girls need more time completing the badge requirements.
Prepare to Take Girls Outside:
To earn the Trailblazing badge, Cadettes must go camping in a backcountry area. Get support from your
council and GSUSA for information about best practices for Girl Scouts in the outdoors:
Check Safety Activity Checkpoints guidelines before planning any camping trip or outdoor activity.
Look for camping videos and more in the “Outdoor Resources” on the GSUSA website
http://www.girlscouts.org/en/adults/volunteer/volunteer-resources/outdoor-resources.html.
Explore Venture Out! http://gsuniversity.girlscouts.org/resource/venture-out/, an online resource that
provides guidance to volunteers less familiar with taking girls outdoors.
Read the book Outdoor Education in Girl Scouting for helpful tips.
Read Girl Scout Readiness in Camping in Meeting Aids to get progressive camping tips, from firsttime campers to girls who are more experienced campers.
Check out the Outdoor Progression Chart here. https://www.girlscouts.org/content/dam/girlscoutsgsusa/forms-and-documents/for-adults/volunteer/GSUSA_OutdoorProgression.pdf
Read Explaining Leave No Trace in Meeting Aids: An important part of preparing girls for the outdoors
is to help them understand and embrace the seven basic principles of Leave No Trace.
Go to the Leave No Trace website https://lnt.org/teach/leave-no-trace-every-kid to find teaching
resources and fun nature camping activities.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Make the Most of the Outdoor Journey: Use the Talking Points (But Make Them Your Own): In each
session, you’ll find suggested talking points under the heading “SAY.” Some volunteers, especially new ones,
find it helpful to follow the script. Others use the talking points as a guide and deliver the information in their
own words. Either way is just fine.
Leave Time for the Closing: If girls are having fun doing an activity, you may be tempted to skip the Closing
Ceremony so they can keep going—but the Closing Ceremony is absolutely key to their learning. One of
the most important components of any activity is allowing time for the girls to reflect on what they have
learned. Research shows that when we use reflection with girls, their learning and enjoyment in activities
goes up, so use reflection after activities like a hike or your campout. Ask them about how they felt during
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Trailblazing 2
the activity. What did they learn? How will they use what they have learned? Did any of the activities ignite a
passion that could be used for a Take Action project?
Use Girl Scouts’ Three Processes: Girl-led, learning by doing, cooperative learning—these three processes
are the key to making sure girls have fun in Girl Scouts and keep coming back. “Learning by doing” and
“cooperative learning” are built into this Journey, thanks to the hands-on activities and tips. You’ll also find
specific “keep it girl-led” tips in the meeting plans. They’ll help you create an experience where girls know
they can make choices and have their voices heard.
Read “Think-Pair-Share” in Meeting Aids: Find out how to make sure all girls are heard when making
team decisions.
Complete the Surveys: Be sure to complete the surveys in the Volunteer Toolkit about your experiences.
Your input is important! The data collected is used to enhance the program.
If You Have a Multi-Level Troop: Read Tips for Working with Multi-Level Groups for Older Girls in
Meeting Aids to get hands-on tips for how to deal with younger girl/older girl scenarios.
Prepare Ahead
Print Campsite Checklist from Meeting Aids, handouts, one for each Cadette.
Prepare a kaper chart on a poster board for Activity 2: Opening Ceremony. Insert girls’ names with
chores they volunteered for in Meeting 1.
Print Leave No Trace for Older Girls handout from Meeting Aids—one for each Cadette—for Activity 2:
Opening Ceremony.
Gather materials for Activity 3: compass or GPS, enough for each team of girls.
Gather ingredients and supplies for Activity 4: One-Pot Meal.
At a library or online, find (or print out) a constellation guide—from either a book or poster—to share
with girls for Activity 5: See the Stars.
Purchase Trailblazing badges, one for each Cadette.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Get Help from Your Family and Friends Network
Your Friends and Family Network can include:
Girls’ parents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, etc.
Other volunteers who have offered to help with the meeting or camping trip
•
•
Ask your network to help:
Bring camping supplies and gear for the camping trip
Bring a camera, smartphone, or video camera to document the meetings and camp out
•
•
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exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Trailblazing 2
• Assist with camping activities in meetings
• Volunteer to go on troop camp out
Award Connection
Cadettes will earn their Trailblazing badge at the end of Meeting 2.
Note: You can buy the Trailblazing badge, one for each Cadette, from your council shop or on the
Girl Scout website.
Meeting Length
90 minutes
The times given for each activity may be different depending on how many Cadettes are in your troop,
so adjust accordingly.
Give Cadettes 10- and 5-minute warnings before they need to wrap up the last activity so you’ll have
time for the Closing Ceremony.
Some activities might require more time so add an extra meeting if you need to.
•
•
•
MATERIALS LIST
Activity 1: As Girls Arrive: Campsite Checklist
Campsite Checklist, one for each Cadette
Pens, pencils
•
•
Activity 2: Opening Ceremony: Camp Set-Up, Safety, Leave No Trace and Kapers
Flag
Leave No Trace for Older Girls handout, one for each Cadette
Kaper chart with enough kapers for each Cadette
•
•
•
Activity 3: Practice Using a Compass or GPS
Compass or GPS, for each pair of girls
Map of campsite and surrounding area, one for each girl
Pens, pencils
•
•
•
Activity 4: Make a One-Pot Meal
Supplies and ingredients for a one-pot meal
•
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Trailblazing 2
Activity 5: See the Stars
Constellation guide
Blankets for star gazing (optional)
Paper
Pens, pencils for girls to draw the night sky
•
•
•
•
Activity 6: Tell a Progressive Story
Campfire or lanterns
•
Activity 7: Closing Ceremony: Trailblazing Badge Award
Trailblazing badge, one for each Cadette
•
DETAILED ACTIVITY PLAN
(Note to volunteers: This meeting is designed to be held while girls are camping out.)
Activity 1: As Girls Arrive: Campsite Checklist
Time Allotment
5 minutes
Materials
Campsite Checklist, one for each Cadette
Pens, pencils
•
•
SAY:
When you arrived, you set up the campsite. Use this Campsite Checklist to make sure your campsite is
nature friendly and safe.
Activity 2: Opening Ceremony: Camp Set-Up, Safety, Leave No Trace and Kapers
Time Allotment
10 minutes
Materials
Flag
Leave No Trace for Older Girls handout, one for each Cadette
Kaper chart with kapers for each Cadette
•
•
•
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Trailblazing 2
Steps
Recite the Pledge of Allegiance and the Promise and Law.
Go over Campsite Checklist handout and remind Cadettes about Leave No Trace.
Go over camp safety and kaper chart.
•
•
•
SAY:
When you got to camp, you worked to set it up. Let’s go down the items on the checklist to see how you did.
Is the area for your campsite flat and dry?
Were the sticks and stones cleared away?
Did you set up a separate area for sleeping, cooking and dishwashing?
For your cooking area:
Can animals get at your food?
Are your coolers stashed in animal-proof containers?
Are there two trees nearby where you can tie a rope between them to hang things?
For your sleeping area:
Are the tents spread out so there isn’t too much traffic in one area?
Are the openings to your tents facing each other? (Suggest that girls arrange tents in a circle so all openings
face each other.)
For your fire building area:
Are you using a fire ring that is already at the campsite?
What kind of sticks are you using to build your fire? (Remind girls that the wood they draw must be dead,
fallen wood from the ground, not off live trees or plants.)
Are there any trees or plants near your fire ring?
What size fire will you make? (Remind girls that smaller fires are better for the environment.)
How will you extinguish your fire? (Remind girls they will need a large stick or shovel and bucket of
water nearby.)
Have girls discuss solutions for anything that needs changing.
SAY:
When you leave a campsite, what do you do with your trash? (Answer: Take it out with you or dispose of
it in approved trash bins on the campgrounds.)
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exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Trailblazing 2
When you leave a campsite, what should it look like? (Answer: As good as or better than you found it.)
Let’s go over the Leave No Trace principles.
SAY:
Have any of you practiced Leave No Trace since you arrived at camp? Explain how.
Now you know how to keep nature safe. Let’s keep each other safe, too. Tell me what it means to:
Use the buddy system. (Answer: You are paired with another Cadette and you should stay together at all
times. You can warn each other about danger or get assistance if something happens.)
Protect yourself from weather. (Answer: Wear sunscreen or a hat when it’s sunny and hot. Wear a raincoat
or jacket when it’s cold and rainy.)
Be careful around a campfire. (Answer: Wear closed-toe shoes. Don’t walk over a fire. When you are tending
a fire, make sure to tie your hair back or wear a bandana on your head.)
Protect your food from wildlife. (Answer: Store food away from tents and out of reach of animals. If
necessary, hang food from a rope stretched between two trees and make sure all food is packed in
closed containers.)
Go over the kaper chart and the kapers each girl will do.
Activity 3: Practice Using a Compass or GPS
Time Allotment
30 minutes
Materials
Compass or GPS, for each pair of girls
Map of campsite and surrounding area, one for each girl
Pens, pencils
•
•
•
Steps
Girls learn how to use a compass and GPS.
Girls break into pairs and practice navigating using a compass or GPS on a short hike.
•
•
(Note to volunteers: You will probably need more time for this activity.)
SAY:
First break into pairs.
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Trailblazing 2
Then, trace out a short hiking route on the map.
We’ll go on a hike together and you will use your GPS or compass to navigate it, marking the direction or
coordinates on the map.
Demonstrate for girls how to use a compass or GPS.
Then take girls on a short hike and have them mark director or coordinates at frequent stops to compare
with the rest of the group later.
When girls return, have them share maps to see if they have similar directions or coordinates on their maps.
Activity 4: Make a One-Pot Meal
Time Allotment
30 minutes
Materials
Supplies and ingredients for a one-pot meal
•
Steps
Girls break into teams to make a one-pot meal. One team does preparation, one cooks, one cleans up. A
fourth team is in charge of food storage. (Note to volunteers: You will likely need more than the allotted time
for this activity.)
SAY:
When you planned your meals, you brought the ingredients you need. Now let’s make a one-pot meal
together.
(Note to volunteers: Make this a fast and easy meal, like cooking a can of turkey chili in a pot.)
You’ll break up into four teams.
One team will do the preparation and set up (cut vegetables, if needed. Set up plates, napkins, whatever is
needed)
One will do the cooking (boiling water, etc.)
One will do the cleanup. Make sure everything is properly recycled. Use three buckets or deep pans for
dishwashing. The first is for hot, soapy water; the second holds clean water for rinsing; the third is either
for boiling water or cool water with a health department approved sanitizing solution. Sanitize dishes by
placing them in a net bag and immersing in boiling water for one minute, or according to the directions
of the sanitizing solution. Hang the net bags to air dry.
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exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Trailblazing 2
One will do the food safety and storage. This might mean repackaging some foods into plastic bags. Make
sure all food is protected from animals like in an animal-proof area (hung on a tree) and in closed containers.
Activity 5: See the Stars
Time Allotment
20 min
Materials
Constellation guide
Blankets for star gazing (optional)
Paper
Pens, pencils for girls to draw the night sky
•
•
•
•
Steps
Cadettes do a nighttime activity and observe the night sky.
SAY:
One of the most memorable things about being on a camp out is being away from it all and out in the natural
world. Especially at nighttime.
Have girls sit on blankets to observe the night sky and write/draw what they see. Compare their findings to a
constellation guide to see if any of what they see matches up.
SAY:
Now that you’ve out your stargazing skills to the test, take a minute to see what you can hear. Close your
eyes and listen to the night sounds.
After a few minutes, have girls describe some sounds they heard.
Activity 6: Tell a Progressive Story
Time Allotment
15 minutes
Materials
Campfire or lanterns
•
Steps
Cadettes tell a progressive story while sitting around a campfire or lanterns.
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Trailblazing 2
SAY:
One of the best traditions in camping is telling stories around a campfire.
Do this by telling a progressive story.
One girl will start it by saying one or two sentences. Then the next girl will continue the story. And around the
circle we’ll go until the story ends.
You can even act out your part of the story or tell it in a song!
Activity 7: Closing Ceremony: Trailblazing Badge Award
Time Allotment
5 minutes
Materials
Trailblazing badge, one for each Cadette
•
Steps
Cadettes sit in a circle and get their Trailblazing badges.
SAY:
What’s been the best part about your Trailblazing experience?
How were you most challenged on your Trailblazing trip?
How would you help someone else plan for an overnight camping trip?
What would you do differently next time?
Give each Cadette a Trailblazing badge.
End the meeting with a Friendship Squeeze.
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exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Primitive Camper 1
OVERVIEW
Notes to Volunteers:
Primitive Camper Requirements: There are two meetings for Cadettes to earn their Primitive Camper
badge. Meeting 1 can be held in a meeting room or outdoors. Meeting 2 is designed to be held at a campsite
location while girls are camping.
Add An Extra Meeting: The meetings are each designed for 90 minutes. It’s perfectly OK to add a meeting
to your Outdoor Journey plan if you feel girls need more time completing the badge requirements.
Prepare to Take Girls Outside:
To earn the Primitive Camper badge, Cadettes must go camping in a backcountry area or a primitive
campground (one without electricity, flush toilets, showers, running water). Get support from your council
and GSUSA for information about best practices for Girl Scouts in the outdoors:
Check Safety Activity Checkpoints guidelines before planning any camping trip or outdoor activity.
Look for camping videos and more in the “Outdoor Resources” on the GSUSA website
http://www.girlscouts.org/en/adults/volunteer/volunteer-resources/outdoor-resources.html.
Explore Venture Out! http://gsuniversity.girlscouts.org/resource/venture-out/, an online resource that
provides guidance to volunteers less familiar with taking girls outdoors.
Read the book Outdoor Education in Girl Scouting for helpful tips.
Read “Girl Scout Readiness in Camping” in Meeting Aids to get progressive camping tips, for firsttime campers to girls who are more experienced campers.
Check out the Outdoor Progression Chart here. https://www.girlscouts.org/content/dam/girlscoutsgsusa/forms-and-documents/for-adults/volunteer/GSUSA_OutdoorProgression.pdf
Read Explaining Leave No Trace in Meeting Aids: An important part of preparing girls for the outdoors
is to help them understand and embrace the seven basic principles of Leave No Trace when camping.
Go to the Leave No Trace website https://lnt.org/teach/leave-no-trace-every-kid to find teaching
resources and fun nature camping activities.
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Make the Most of the Outdoor Journey: Use the Talking Points (But Make Them Your Own): In each
session, you’ll find suggested talking points under the heading “SAY.” Some volunteers, especially new ones,
find it helpful to follow the script. Others use the talking points as a guide and deliver the information in their
own words. Either way is just fine.
Leave Time for the Closing: If girls are having fun doing an activity, you may be tempted to skip the Closing
Ceremony so they can keep going—but the Closing Ceremony is absolutely key to their learning. One of the
most important components of any activity is allowing time for the girls to reflect on what they have
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exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Primitive Camper 1
learned. Research shows that when we use reflection with girls, their learning and enjoyment in activities
goes up, so use reflection after activities like a hike or your campout. Ask them about how they felt during
the activity. What did they learn? How will they use what they have learned? Did any of the activities ignite a
passion that could be used for a Take Action project?
Use Girl Scouts’ Three Processes: Girl-led, learning by doing, cooperative learning—these three processes
are the key to making sure girls have fun in Girl Scouts and keep coming back. “Learning by doing” and
“cooperative learning” are built into this Journey, thanks to the hands-on activities and tips. You’ll also find
specific “keep it girl-led” tips in the meeting plans. They’ll help you create an experience where girls know
they can make choices and have their voices heard.
Read “Think-Pair-Share” in Meeting Aids: Find out how to make sure all girls are heard when making
team decisions.
Complete the Surveys: Be sure to complete the surveys in the Volunteer Toolkit about your experiences.
Your input is important! The data collected is used to enhance the program.
If You Have a Multi-Level Troop: Read Tips for Working with Multi-Level Groups for Older Girls in
Meeting Aids to get hands-on tips for how to deal with younger girl/older girl scenarios.
Prepare Ahead
Create and print out the following questionnaire for Activity 1: As Girls Arrive, one for each Cadette:
•
Cadette Camper Experience
o Have you ever been camping? If so, what kind?
oPrimitive Camping means no services such as running tap water, showers, flush toilets or electricity:
What would you miss most on a backcountry camping trip without electricity and water?
oWhat are you most excited about going on a backcountry camping trip without electricity and
water?
Leave No Trace for Older Girls handout from Meeting Aids, one for each Cadette, for Activity 3:
• Print
Leave No Trace.
Activity 4: Camp Planning: Across the top of a white board or poster board, write: “Camp Questions”
• For
and “Camp Plan.” Under “Camp Questions” write: Where will you go? When will you go? How will you get
there? What kind of gear will you bring? How will you wash and get water? What will you eat? How will
you cook your food? Are any permits needed? How much will the trip cost, and how will your group pay
for it?
snack items for Activity 5: Make a Primitive Snack. Check in advance for any food allergies girls
• Gather
might have.
Activity 6: Gear Share and Compare: Gather materials for waterproofing gear: plastic trash bags and
• For
various size plastic sealable baggies.
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exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Primitive Camper 1
Activity 6: Gear Share and Compare: Send an email out in advance to parents asking that girls
• For
make a trip to a gear supply store to find out about camping equipment before your first meeting.
Then request Cadettes bring camp gear items to the meeting, such as:
o Reusable water bottle
o Flashlight with extra batteries
o Long-sleeved jacket
o Poncho or raincoat
o Closed-toe shoes
o Sun protection: hat with a brim, sunscreen, lip balm, and sunglasses
o First aid kit
o Pocket potty: Toilet paper, plastic sealable baggies, trowel)
o Any medications you may need (inhaler, EpiPen)
o Emergency food (such as trail mix or granola bars)
o Whistle
o Matches in a waterproof container
o Rope
o Bug spray
o Sleeping bag and sleeping pad
o Dutch oven or cook pots
o Cooler to hold food
o Cooking utensils
o Extra trash bags
o Mess kit (plate, utensils, cup)
o Battery-operated or propane lantern
o Socks
o Backpack or duffel bag
o Compass and map of the area
Get Help from Your Family and Friends Network
Your Friends and Family Network can include:
Girls’ parents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, etc.
Other volunteers who have offered to help with the meeting
•
•
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exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Primitive Camper 1
Ask your network to help:
Bring art and camping supplies and gear for meetings
Bring camping equipment and gear for a camp out
Bring a camera, smartphone, or video camera to document the meetings and camp out
Assist with camping activities in meetings
Help plan the menu for camping trip and do the shopping in advance
Volunteer to go on troop campouts
•
•
•
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Award Connection
Cadettes will not earn a badge in this meeting. They will earn their Primitive Camper badge at the end of
Meeting 2.
Note: You can buy the Primitive Camper badge, one for each Cadette, from your council shop or on the
Girl Scout website.
Meeting Length
90 minutes
The times given for each activity may be different depending on how many Cadettes are in your troop,
so adjust accordingly.
Give Cadettes 10- and 5-minute warnings before they need to wrap up the last activity so you’ll have
time for the Closing Ceremony.
Some activities might require more time so add an extra meeting if you need to.
•
•
•
MATERIALS LIST
Activity 1: As Girls Arrive: Cadette Camper Experience
Printout of Cadette Camper Experience, one for each Cadette
Pens, pencils
•
•
Activity 2: Opening Ceremony: Welcome to Primitive Camping
Flag
Girls’ Cadette Camper Experience from Activity 1
•
•
Activity 3: Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace handout, one for each Cadette
•
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Primitive Camper 1
Activity 4: Primitive Camp Planning
Paper
Pencils
White board or poster board with “camping questions” and “camping plan” written on top. Under
camping questions, write: Where? When? Budget? Permits? Gear?
•
•
•
Activity 5: Snack Break: Dehydrated Snack
Before options: Assorted raw fruits and vegetables
After options: Store-bought dried fruits and vegetables: kale chips, banana chips, sundried raisins,
apple chips, etc. (Note to volunteer: If you have a food dehydrator and can do so, prepare some
snacks in advance.)
Dehydrator (optional)
Pen and paper for camp menu planning
•
•
•
•
Activity 6: Gear Share, Layering & Waterproofing
Equipment and gear that Cadettes brought to the meeting
Waterproof materials: trash bags and various size plastic baggies
•
•
Activity 7: Closing Ceremony: Kaper Chores and Leave No Trace Pledge
None
•
DETAILED ACTIVITY PLAN
(Note to volunteers: You can hold this meeting in a meeting room or outdoors.)
Activity 1: As Girls Arrive: Cadette Camper Experience
Time Allotment
5 minutes
Materials
Printout of Cadette Camper Experience, one for each Cadette
Pens, pencils
•
•
Steps
Welcome Cadettes and have them fill out the Cadette Camper Experience.
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Primitive Camper 1
SAY:
Take a minute to fill out the Cadette Camper Experience and get ready to share some of your camp
memories and skills.
Activity 2: Opening Ceremony: Welcome to Primitive Camping
Time Allotment
10 minutes
Materials
• Flag
• Girls’ Cadette Camper Experience from Activity 1
Steps
Recite the Pledge of Allegiance and the Promise and Law.
Cadettes share camping experiences and talk about what Primitive Camping means.
•
•
SAY:
You’ll be earning your Primitive Camper badge, which means you’ll be planning and taking a camping trip in
the backcountry.
What does primitive or backcountry camping mean to you?
(Possible answers: Away from an established campsite, no electricity, no cell phone service; have to gather
own water, etc.)
Many of you have camped out before, some even camped out to earn your Trailblazer badge.
Share what you filled out when you arrived about your camping experience:
Have you ever been camping? If so, what kind?
(Possible answers: Backyard, at a campsite, backpacking, multi-day camping)
What would you miss most on a backcountry camping trip without electricity and water?
(Possible answers: Cell phone service, a flush toilet, a shower, sleeping on a regular bed)
What are you most excited about going on a backcountry camping trip without electricity and water?
(Possible answers: Being in the wild, cooking meals, going backpacking, seeing things in nature)
Activity 3: Leave No Trace
Time Allotment:
10 minutes
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exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Primitive Camper 1
Materials:
Leave No Trace handout, one for each Cadette
•
Steps:
Have girls talk about ways they will protect nature while camping in the backcountry.
•
SAY:
When you went camping before, what do you remember about Leave No Trace? What principles did you
practice?
Let’s go over the Leave No Trace principles, which you’ll be using on your Primitive Camper trip.
I’ll name the principle and share what you think it means.
Plan Ahead.
(Answer: Plan ahead so you leave nothing behind and protect nature. For example: You will store your food
in containers and protect it from wildlife. You will find out about your campsite in advance, for example, is
your trash “Pack It In, Pack It Out”? Where will you get water? Build a fire? Go on a hike?)
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces.
(Answer: Walk only on paths and hard, compact surfaces. Be careful not to step on plants and flowers. Stay
on established trails. Camp at established campsites whenever possible.)
Dispose of Waste Properly.
(Answer: Pack out what you carried in including all trash, leftover food and toilet paper.)
Leave What You Find.
(Answer: Leave nature as it is, which means leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
Don’t build structures, dig ditches or cut healthy trees or bushes.
Minimize Campfire Impacts.
(Answer: Campfires are a special part of a Girl Scout’s outdoors experience: If you do build a campfire, keep
it small and make sure it doesn’t harm any plants or wildlife. Use an established fire ring, if available. Can you
gather firewood? Do you have fire-building permits, if needed? Keep your fire small, and put it out properly.)
Respect Wildlife.
(Answer: Don’t approach, feed, or follow any animals—watch them from a distance.)
Be Considerate of Other Visitors.
(Answer: Respect other visitors so they have a good experience in the outdoors, too. Yield to other users on
the trail, camp away from trails and other visitors, keep your voice and noise level down.)
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Primitive Camper 1
Activity 4: Primitive Camp Planning
Time Allotment
25 minutes
Materials
Paper
Pencils
White board or poster board with “camping questions” and “camping plan” written on top. Under
camping questions, write: Where? When? Budget? Permits? Gear?
•
•
•
Steps
Show Cadettes the two columns on the board; explain they will break into teams to do some planning.
Break Cadettes into teams of three to four each.
Have them discuss and write up a plan for their camping trip using the questions as a guide.
When they finish, gather girls to go over their camping trip goals and make a plan as a group.
•
•
•
•
SAY:
You will break up into teams and come up with answers to these items and share when you’re done.
Your gear is part of camping planning. You’ll talk more about gear later so skip that question.
Here’s what you’ll figure out with your group:
• Where do you want to go?
• When do you want to go?
• What permits do you need, if any? Are campfires allowed?
is your budget? What kind of money earning will you need to do? Do you want to use your troop’s
• What
Girl Scout Cookie money?
When Cadettes are done, write their answers on the board as they volunteer their suggestions.
Come up with a group decision about where to go, when, and what type of budget it will take. Don’t worry
about getting into details about a menu plan or about the campsite.
Give Cadettes a chance to talk about ideas they like (or don’t like).
Activity 5: Snack Break: Dehydrated Snack
Time Allotment
15 minutes
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Primitive Camper 1
Materials
Before options: Assorted raw fruits and vegetables
After options: Store-bought dried fruits and vegetables: kale chips, banana chips, sundried raisins,
apple chips, etc. (Note to volunteer: If you have a food dehydrator and can do so, prepare some snacks
in advance.)
Dehydrator (optional)
Pen and paper for camp menu planning
•
•
•
•
Steps
Cadettes learn about dehydrated food and, if available, see what a dehydrator looks like and learn how to
use one. They snack on raw fruits and veggies and dehydrated (snack chips).
SAY:
Dehydrated food is a great option for camping, especially for side trips and hikes—it’s an easy way to bring
along lightweight, nutrient-dense food.
(Note to volunteer: If you have a dehydrator, show girls how to use it. You won’t have time to see the raw
foods dehydrate, so show girls what it looks like from the snack packs as the “after.”)
While girls are snacking, plan a menu for the Primitive Camping trip. Have girls come up with simple meals
for breakfast-lunch-dinner and snacks for the number of days they need.
Activity 6: Gear Share, Layering & Waterproofing
Time Allotment
20 minutes
Materials
• Equipment and gear that Cadettes brought to the meeting
• Waterproof materials: trash bags and various size plastic baggies
Steps
Cadettes display the gear they brought and do a share and compare.
Cadettes waterproof their gear and practice layering.
•
•
SAY:
Camping with a group makes it easier because you can share gear items. Look at what’s displayed and
decide what things you can share.
(Girls may decide they only need one stove, one set of cooking pots/utensils, one first-aid kit, one cooler, etc.)
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Primitive Camper 1
SAY:
Now let’s play a layering-waterproofing game. Break into two teams. I’ll call out the weather and one by one,
grab whatever gear you think you need, including clothing, and put it on.
Make sure to “waterproof” your gear if it’s wet outside. For example, you’ll want to put matches or gear in
plastic baggies or trash bags if it’s raining.
Weather condition is:
• Hot.
• Cold and sunny.
• Cold and damp.
• Windy.
• Raining.
• Overcast.
• Cold in the morning, hot during the day.
• Snowing.
• Thunderstorm.
Activity 7: Closing Ceremony: Kaper Chores and Leave No Trace Pledge
Time Allotment
5 minutes
Materials
None
•
Steps
Cadettes sit in a circle, volunteer for kaper chores, and make a Leave No Trace pledge.
•
SAY:
I’ll read out some campsite chores and write down your name next to ones you want to do. You can volunteer
for more than one thing!
Make snacks.
Prepare meals.
Clean up cooking area.
Fire builder.
Fire extinguisher.
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exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Primitive Camper 1
Set table for meals.
Clean up after meals.
Fill pots for dishwashing.
Clean and dry dishes.
Help set up sleeping bags or tents.
Help take down sleeping bags or tents.
Pack up kitchen area before you leave.
Clean up campsite area before you leave.
Set up washing area with water and buckets.
Can you think of more kapers?
You’ve learned about Leave No Trace while camping. Let’s go around and say one thing that you will
remember to do to when you go on your trip.
End the meeting with a Friendship Squeeze.
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Primitive Camper 2
OVERVIEW
Notes to Volunteers:
Primitive Camper Requirements: There are two meetings for Cadettes to earn their Primitive Camper
badge. Meeting 1 can be held in a meeting room or outdoors. Meeting 2 is designed to be held at a campsite
location while girls are camping.
Add An Extra Meeting: The meetings are each designed for 90 minutes. It’s perfectly OK to add a meeting
to your Outdoor Journey plan if you feel girls need more time completing the badge requirements.
Prepare to Take Girls Outside: To earn the Primitive Camper badge, Cadettes must go camping in a
backcountry area. Get support from your council and GSUSA for information about best practices for Girl
Scouts in the outdoors:
Check Safety Activity Checkpoints guidelines before planning any camping trip or outdoor activity.
Look for camping videos and more in the “Outdoor Resources” on the GSUSA website
http://www.girlscouts.org/en/adults/volunteer/volunteer-resources/outdoor-resources.html.
Explore Venture Out! http://gsuniversity.girlscouts.org/resource/venture-out/, an online resource that
provides guidance to volunteers less familiar with taking girls outdoors.
Read the book Outdoor Education in Girl Scouting for helpful tips.
Read “Girl Scout Readiness in Camping” in Meeting Aids to get progressive camping tips, for firsttime campers to girls who are more experienced campers.
Check out the Outdoor Progression Chart here. https://www.girlscouts.org/content/dam/girlscoutsgsusa/forms-and-documents/for-adults/volunteer/GSUSA_OutdoorProgression.pdf
Read Explaining Leave No Trace in Meeting Aids: An important part of preparing girls for the outdoors
is to help them understand and embrace the seven basic principles of Leave No Trace.
Go to the Leave No Trace website https://lnt.org/teach/leave-no-trace-every-kid to find teaching
resources and fun nature camping activities.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Make the Most of the Outdoor Journey: Use the Talking Points (But Make Them Your Own): In each
session, you’ll find suggested talking points under the heading “SAY.” Some volunteers, especially new ones,
find it helpful to follow the script. Others use the talking points as a guide and deliver the information in their
own words. Either way is just fine.
Leave Time for the Closing: If girls are having fun doing an activity, you may be tempted to skip the Closing
Ceremony so they can keep going—but the Closing Ceremony is absolutely key to their learning. One of
the most important components of any activity is allowing time for the girls to reflect on what they have
learned. Research shows that when we use reflection with girls, their learning and enjoyment in activities
goes up, so use reflection after activities like a hike or your campout. Ask them about how they felt during
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Primitive Camper 2
the activity. What did they learn? How will they use what they have learned? Did any of the activities ignite a
passion that could be used for a Take Action project?
Use Girl Scouts’ Three Processes: Girl-led, learning by doing, cooperative learning—these three processes
are the key to making sure girls have fun in Girl Scouts and keep coming back. “Learning by doing” and
“cooperative learning” are built into this Journey, thanks to the hands-on activities and tips. You’ll also find
specific “keep it girl-led” tips in the meeting plans. They’ll help you create an experience where girls know
they can make choices and have their voices heard.
Read “Think-Pair-Share” in Meeting Aids: Find out how to make sure all girls are heard when making
team decisions.
Complete the Surveys: Be sure to complete the surveys in the Volunteer Toolkit about your experiences.
Your input is important! The data collected is used to enhance the program.
Prepare Ahead
Print Campsite Checklist from Meeting Aids, one for each Cadette.
Prepare a kaper chart on a poster board for Activity 2: Opening Ceremony. Insert girls’ names with
chores they volunteered for in Meeting 1.
Print Leave No Trace for Older Girls handout from Meeting Aids—one for each Cadette—for Activity 2:
Opening Ceremony.
Gather supplies for Activity 3: Water Purification Test.
Gather ingredients and supplies for Activity 4: Make a Simple Camp Meal.
Gather ropes and hatchets for Activity 5: Knots and Hatchets.
Recruit adults who are experienced with demonstrating how to safely use a hatchet for Activity 5:
Knots and Hatchets.
Gather supplies for Activity 6: Build an Emergency Shelter.
Purchase Primitive Camper badges, one for each Cadette.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Get Help from Your Family and Friends Network
Your Friends and Family Network can include:
Girls’ parents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, etc.
Other volunteers who have offered to help with the meeting
•
•
Ask your network to help:
Bring art and camping supplies and gear for meetings
Bring camping supplies and gear for the camp out
Bring a camera, smartphone, or video camera to document the meetings and camp out
•
•
•
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Primitive Camper 2
• Assist with camping activities in meetings
• Volunteer to go on troop camp outs
Award Connection
Cadettes will earn their Primitive Camper badge at the end of Meeting 2.
Note: You can buy the Primitive Camper badge, one for each Cadette, from your council shop or on the
Girl Scout website.
Meeting Length
90 minutes
The times given for each activity may be different depending on how many Cadettes are in your troop,
so adjust accordingly.
Give Cadettes 10- and 5-minute warnings before they need to wrap up the last activity so you’ll have
time for the Closing Ceremony.
Some activities might require more time, so add an extra meeting if you need to.
•
•
•
MATERIALS LIST
Activity 1: As Girls Arrive: Campsite Checklist
Campsite Checklist, one for each Cadette
Pens, pencils
•
•
Activity 2: Opening Ceremony: Camp Set-Up, Safety, Leave No Trace and Kapers
Flag
Leave No Trace for Older Girls handout, one for each Cadette
Kaper chart with kapers for each Cadette
•
•
•
Activity 3: Water Purification Test
Materials for Water Purification:
•
o Portable water filters
o Chemical tablets
o Portable stove and pot to boil water
Activity 4: Make a Simple Camp Meal
Supplies and ingredients for a simple camp meal
•
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Primitive Camper 2
Activity 5: Knots and Hatchets
Long ropes, one for each pair of Cadettes
Hatchet, one for each team of Cadettes
•
•
Activity 6: Build an Emergency Shelter
Tarp or garbage bags
Wood gathered from the area (be sure to return it to where you found it)
Long sticks to use as stakes or tent poles
Duct tape
Scissors
String
Any other materials girls might use to build a shelter
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Activity 7: Closing Ceremony: Primitive Camper Badge Award
Primitive Camper badge, one for each Cadette
•
DETAILED ACTIVITY PLAN
(Note to volunteers: This meeting is designed to be held while girls are camping out.)
Activity 1: As Girls Arrive: Campsite Checklist
Time Allotment
5 minutes
Materials
Campsite Checklist, one for each Cadette
Pens, pencils
•
•
SAY:
When you arrived, you set up the campsite. Use this Campsite Checklist to make sure your campsite is
nature friendly and safe.
Activity 2: Opening Ceremony: Camp Set-Up, Safety, Leave No Trace and Kapers
Time Allotment
10 minutes
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exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Primitive Camper 2
Materials
Flag
Leave No Trace for Older Girls handout, one for each Cadette
Kaper chart with kapers for each Cadette
•
•
•
Steps
Recite the Pledge of Allegiance and the Promise and Law.
Go over Campsite Checklist handout and remind Cadettes about Leave No Trace.
Go over camp safety and kaper chart.
•
•
•
SAY:
When you got to camp, you worked to set it up. Let’s go down the items on the checklist to see how you did.
Is the area for your campsite flat and dry?
Were the sticks and stones cleared away?
Did you set up a separate area for cooking, hand washing, and dishwashing?
For your cooking area:
Can animals get at your food?
Are your coolers stashed in animal-proof containers?
Are there two trees nearby where you can tie a rope between them to hang things?
For your sleeping area:
Are the tents spread out so there isn’t too much traffic in one area?
Are the openings to your tents facing each other? (Suggest that girls arrange tents in a circle so all openings
face each other.)
For your fire building area:
Are you using a fire ring that is already at the campsite?
What kind of sticks are you using to build your fire? (Remind girls that the wood they draw must be dead,
fallen wood from the ground, not off live trees or plants.)
Are there any trees or plants near your fire ring?
What size fire will you make? (Remind girls that smaller fires are better for the environment.)
How will you extinguish your fire? (Remind girls they will need a shovel and bucket of water nearby.)
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Primitive Camper 2
Have girls discuss solutions for anything that needs changing.
SAY:
When you leave a campsite, what do you do with your trash? (Answer: Take it out with you or dispose of it in
approved trash bins on the campgrounds.)
When you leave a campsite, what should it look like? (Answer: As good as or better than you found it.)
Let’s go over the Leave No Trace principles.
SAY:
Have any of you practiced Leave No Trace since you arrived at camp? Explain how.
Now you know how to keep nature safe. Let’s keep each other safe, too. Tell me what it means to:
Use the buddy system. (Answer: You are paired with another Cadette and you should stay together at all
times. You can warn each other about danger or get assistance if something happens.)
Protect yourself from weather. (Answer: Wear sunscreen or a hat when it’s sunny and hot. Wear a raincoat
or jacket when it’s cold and rainy.)
Be careful around a campfire. (Answer: Wear closed-toe shoes. Don’t walk over a fire. When you are tending
a fire, make sure to tie your hair back or wear a bandana on your head.)
Protect your food from wildlife. (Answer: Store food away from tents and out of reach of animals. If
necessary, hang food from a rope stretched between two trees and make sure all food is packed in
closed containers.)
Go over the kaper chart and the kapers each girl will do.
Activity 3: Water Purification Test
Time Allotment
10 minutes
Materials
Materials for water purification:
•
o Portable water filters
o Chemical tablets
o Portable stove and pot to boil water
Steps
Go over the three methods of water purification with Cadettes.
•
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Primitive Camper 2
• Break Cadettes into three teams of 3–4 to test each method.
• Have a blind water taste test and have girls grade how the water tastes.
(Note to volunteers: You will likely need more than the allotted time for this activity.)
SAY:
The water at campgrounds is not always safe to drink.
Even a sparkling-clear water source can be contaminated with bacteria, chemicals, and viruses.
So it’s important to use one of these three methods to purify your water:
Portable water filters: Pump water from the source into a container with a filter. The filter’s built-in system
cleans the water.
Chemical tablets: These tablets use chemicals, like iodine, to purify water.
Boiling water: Bring your water to a boil, pour it into a container, and let it cool.
You will break into three teams to try these purification systems. Afterwards we’ll have a blind taste test!
When Cadette teams are done, do a taste test to find out whose purification method made the best water.
Activity 4: Make a Simple Camp Meal
Time Allotment
20 minutes
Materials
Supplies and ingredients for a simple camp meal
•
Steps
Girls break into teams to make a simple camp meal. One team does preparation, one cooks, one cleans up.
A fourth team is in charge of food storage. (Note to volunteers: You will likely need more than the allotted
time for this activity.)
SAY:
When you planned your meals, you brought the ingredients you need. Now let’s make one of those simple
meals together.
(Note to volunteers: Make this a fast and easy meal, like cooking a can of turkey chili in a pot.)
You’ll break up into four teams.
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Primitive Camper 2
One team will do the preparation and setup. (Cut vegetables, if needed. Set up plates, napkins, whatever is
needed.)
One will do the cooking (boiling water, etc.).
One will do the cleanup. Make sure everything is properly recycled. Use three buckets or deep pans for
dishwashing. The first is for hot, soapy water; the second holds clean water for rinsing; the third is either
for boiling water or cool water with a health department approved sanitizing solution. Sanitize dishes by
placing them in a net bag and immersing in boiling water for one minute, or according to the directions of the
sanitizing solution. Hang the net bags to air dry. Dispose of grey water by scattering water over a large area.
One will do the food safety and storage. This might mean repackaging some foods into plastic bags. Make
sure all food is protected from animals like in an animal-proof area (hung on a tree) and in closed containers.
Activity 5: Knots and Hatchets
Time Allotment
20 min
Materials
Long ropes, one for each pair of Cadettes
Hatchet, one for each team of Cadettes
•
•
Steps
Cadettes break into teams to work with an adult to practice tying a square knot and clove hitch knot.
Cadettes work with an experienced adult to learn how to safely use a hatchet. (Note to volunteers: You will
likely need more than the allotted time for this activity.)
SAY:
You may have learned how to tie some knots—like the square knot and the clove hitch—in Girl Scouts already,
but this is a good time to practice them.
Break into pairs and work with an adult to tie knots. Come up with one you haven’t tried, like a monkey’s
fist knot!
When girls are done with knot tying, have them stay in teams (with an adult) to learn how to safely use
a hatchet.
SAY:
Now each team will work with an experienced adult to learn how to use a hatchet.
(Note to volunteer: If possible and with proper campsite permission, have girls practice using a hatchet by
splitting larger pieces of wood for kindling or to help clear wood or brush from trails.)
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Primitive Camper 2
Activity 6: Build an Emergency Shelter
Time Allotment
15 minutes
Materials
Tarp or garbage bags
Wood gathered from the area (be sure to return it to where you found it)
Long sticks to use as stakes
Duct tape
Scissors
String
Any other materials girls might use to build a shelter
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Steps
Cadettes break into teams to build an emergency shelter. (Note to volunteers: You will likely need more
than the allotted time for this activity.)
SAY:
Part of primitive camping is having survival skills, and one is being able to build an emergency shelter.
Who might use an emergency shelter? (Answer: Adventurers, hikers, homeless people, people affected by a
natural disaster)
Break into teams and use materials to build a shelter. Be creative and find things you can use but make sure
not to take anything out of nature without putting it back.
While girls are building, ask:
How will you make sure your shelter is protected from wind or rain?
What size will you make it? How many people will be able to fit?
Activity 7: Closing Ceremony: Primitive Camper Badge Award
Time Allotment
5 minutes
Materials
Primitive Camper badge, one for each Cadette
•
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Primitive Camper 2
Steps
Cadettes sit in a circle and get their Primitive Camper badges.
SAY:
What’s been the best part about your Primitive Camper experience?
How were you most challenged on your Primitive Camping trip?
What would you tell others about what Primitive Camping means?
How would you help someone else plan for a Primitive Camping trip?
What would you do differently next time?
Give each Cadette a Primitive Camper badge.
End the meeting with a Friendship Squeeze.
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Take Action 1
OVERVIEW
Notes to Volunteers:
Cadette Take Action Requirements
The Cadette Outdoor Journey consists of three badges—Night Owl, Trailblazing, Primitive Camper—and three
Take Action meetings.
To complete the Outdoor Journey, have girls complete the meetings in the following order:
• Night Owl badge (2 meetings)
• Trailblazing badge (2 meetings)
• Primitive Camper badge (2 meetings)
• Take Action (3 meetings)
Girls must complete a Take Action project at the end of the Cadette Outdoor Journey.
Get Help for Take Action
There are three Take Action meetings: one for planning, one for creating and carrying out a project, and one
for awards and celebration. Look for this helpful Take Action Guide in the Meeting Aids resources section:
Girl Scout Volunteer Take Action Guide: Find out the difference between community service and a
Take Action project, steps for a Take Action project, how to make a project sustainable, and ways girls
can Take Action.
Bronze, Silver, Gold Awards with Take Action: Find out the requirements to earn a Highest Award
while working on a Take Action project.
•
•
Make the Most of the Take Action Meetings
Use the talking points (but make them your own): In each session, you’ll find suggested talking points
under the heading “SAY.” Some volunteers, especially new ones, find it helpful to follow the script. Others
use the talking points as a guide and deliver the information in their own words. Either way is just fine.
Add an extra meeting: The meetings are each designed for 90 minutes. It’s perfectly OK to add a meeting to
your Outdoor Journey plan if you feel girls need more time completing the Take Action project.
Use Girl Scouts’ three processes: Girl-Led, Learning By Doing, Cooperative Learning—these three processes
are the key to making sure girls have fun in Girl Scouts and keep coming back.
“Learning by doing” and “cooperative learning” are built into this Journey, thanks to the hands-on activities
and tips. You’ll also find “keep it girl-led” tips in the meeting plans. They’ll help you create an experience
where girls know they can make choices and have their voices heard.
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Take Action 1
Read “Think-Pair-Share” in Meeting Aids: Find out how to make sure all girls are heard when making
team decisions.
Leave time for the Closing Ceremony: If girls are having fun doing an activity, you may be tempted to skip
the Closing Ceremony so they can keep going, but the Closing Ceremony is absolutely key to their learning,
especially when you take time for reflection. One of the most important components of any activity is
allowing time for the girls to reflect on what they have learned. Ask girls:
• What did you learn? What did you like best?
• How would you share what you learned with others?
• In what ways did your troop work together?
Complete the surveys: Be sure to complete the surveys in the Volunteer Toolkit about your experiences.
Your input is important! The data collected is used to enhance the program.
If You Have a Multi-Level Troop: Read Tips for Working with Multi-Level Groups for Older Girls in Meeting
Aids to get hands-on tips for how to deal with younger girl/older girl scenarios.
Prepare Ahead
Gather supplies.
If your meeting location doesn’t have a flag, bring a small one from home to either hang or have the
girls take turns holding.
For Activity 1, As Girls Arrive, write these prompts on a poster board or whiteboard: What did you stop
doing? What do you do less? What do you keep doing? What would you do more?
For Activity 2: Opening Ceremony, print out Leave No Trace for Older Girls in Meeting Aids, one for
each girl.
For Activity 2: Opening Ceremony, print out or make a poster of the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
For Activity 2: Opening Ceremony, print out 7 Steps to Take Action in Meeting Aids, one for each girl.
Have the list of Take Action project ideas that girls suggested and you collected throughout badge
meetings.
For Activity 2: Opening Ceremony, on a poster board or whiteboard, write “Take Action Project” ideas.
For Activity 4: Closing Ceremony, on a poster board or whiteboard, write: My Take Action Project
Is____________. Then create columns for the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
What I Need:
o People: People: Who can help with your project?
o Supplies: Will you need to create posters? Print handouts?
o A space: Will you need a place to do your project? Do you need transportation to get somewhere?
o Money: Do you need to put together a budget? Will you use cookie earnings to support this project?
o What else?
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Take Action 1
Get Help from Your Family and Friends Network
Your Friends and Family Network can include:
Girls’ parents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, cousins, and friends.
Other volunteers who have offered to help with the meeting.
•
•
Ask your network to help:
Bring supplies.
Bring a camera, smartphone, or video camera to document the meetings.
Assist with helping girls come up with and create their Take Action project.
•
•
•
Award Connection
In the final Take Action meeting, Cadettes will earn their Take Action award.
From your council shop or the Girl Scout website, buy the Take Action awards, one for each Cadette.
•
Meeting Length
90 minutes
The times given for each activity may be different depending on how many Cadettes are in your troop,
so adjust accordingly.
Give Cadettes 10- and 5-minute warnings before they need to wrap up the last activity so you’ll have
time for the Closing Ceremony.
There is no snack time activity in these meetings, but there’s enough extra time built in for snack
breaks if girls want them.
•
•
•
MATERIALS LIST
Activity 1: As Girls Arrive: Take Action Trailblazer
Pens, pencils
Index cards, 4 for each Cadette
Poster board or whiteboard with these prompts: What did you stop doing? What do you do less? What
do you keep doing? What would you do more?
•
•
•
Activity 2: Opening Ceremony: Brainstorming Take Action
Flag
Printout or poster of the Girl Scout Promise and Law
7 Steps to Take Action in Meeting Aids, one for each girl
Leave No Trace for Older Girls in Meeting Aids, one for each girl
•
•
•
•
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Take Action 1
• Whiteboard or poster board
• Markers
• Tape
Activity 3: Deciding on a Take Action Project
Sticky notes
Pens/pencils
Printed handout of the list of Take Action project ideas you’ve collected throughout meetings, one for
each team of Cadettes
•
•
•
Activity 4: Closing Ceremony: Get Ready to Take Action!
On a poster board or whiteboard, write: My Take Action Project Is____________. Then create columns
for the following:
•
What I Need:
o People: Who can help with your project?
o Supplies: Will you need to create posters? Print handouts?
o A space: Will you need a place to do your project? Do you need transportation to get somewhere?
o Money: Do you need to put together a budget? Will you use cookie earnings to support this project?
o What else?
DETAILED ACTIVITY PLAN
Activity 1: As Girls Arrive: Take Action Trailblazer
Time Allotment
10 minutes
Materials
Pens, pencils
Index cards, 4 for each Cadette
Poster board or whiteboard with these prompts: What did you stop doing? What do you do less? What
do you keep doing? What would you do more?
•
•
•
Steps
Cadettes think about earning their Outdoor badges and what it means to protect the environment. Cadettes
write down things they stopped doing, do less of, keep doing, and want to do more.
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Take Action 1
SAY
You will start planning your Take Action project today.
But before you do, think about what you did to protect the environment when you earned your Night Owl,
Trailblazing and Primitive Camper badges. On one index card write “Stop.” On another write “Less.” On
another write “Keep.” On the last, write “More.”
Now write your answers to these questions that are written on the poster board/whiteboard.
Since you earned your Outdoor badges:
What did you stop doing? (Example: Drink bottled water. Pick plants or flowers outdoors.)
What do you do less of? (Example: Use less water or electricity at home, use less paper, etc.)
What do you keep doing that you did before? (Example: Love and protect animals, recycle, etc.)
What do you want to do more of? (Example: Find new ways to help others, share ways to protect nature,
etc.)
Activity 2: Opening Ceremony: Brainstorming Take Action
Time Allotment
20 minutes
Materials
Flag
Printout or poster of the Girl Scout Promise and Law
7 Steps to Take Action in Meeting Aids, one for each girl
Leave No Trace for Older Girls in Meeting Aids, one for each girl
Whiteboard or poster board
Markers
Tape
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Steps
Recite the Pledge of Allegiance and the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
Have Cadettes share their index cards from Activity 1.
Have Cadettes review Leave No Trace principles to inspire Take Action ideas.
•
•
•
SAY:
In this meeting, you will decide on a Take Action project.
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exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Take Action 1
Before we start, let’s go around and share your index cards.
Tape the index cards under each column: Stop, Less, Keep, More. Ask girls if they see a trend or pattern
in the responses, are there repeats? What do girls think that means? Are they passionate about a certain
issue? Do Cadettes see any ideas for a Take Action project here?
Ask Cadettes to take turns reading aloud the 7 Steps to Take Action handout. Invite girls to discuss or ask
questions about anything they’ve read.
SAY:
Today we’ll be taking steps 1–4. Next meeting you’ll plan and carry out your Take Action project.
Ask Cadettes to read their Leave No Trace handout.
SAY:
When you did the Trailblazing and Primitive Camper badges, you learned about Leave No Trace and
protecting the environment. Do you remember how you practiced the principles when camping?
Did any of those experiences give you ideas for a Take Action project?
Add the girls’ ideas to the whiteboard or poster board.
Activity 3: Deciding on a Take Action Project
Time Allotment
35 minutes
Materials
Sticky notes
Pens/pencils
List of Take Action project ideas you’ve collected throughout the Outdoor badge meetings.
Take Action poster board or whiteboard.
•
•
•
•
Steps
Divide Cadettes into teams to decide on Take Action project ideas.
SAY:
Now you will decide on a Take Action project.
First let’s go over the list of Take Action ideas you came up with during your badge meetings and add them to
the list on the poster board/whiteboard.
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exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Take Action 1
Divide girls into teams of 3–4. Give each team index cards and pens.
Each team will look at the ideas on the whiteboard/poster board to pick ones they like the best. You can also
come up with a new idea or an idea of how to carry out your Take Action project.
Then, as a team, decide on your top three (3) top ideas you want to do. Write each down on a sticky note, one
for each idea. If you only have one favorite idea, that’s OK, too!
When Cadettes are done, tape or post sticky notes on a Take Action poster board or whiteboard. Organize by
similar ideas.
SAY:
Now, as a group, you’ll decide what you want to do.
Give Cadettes a chance to talk about the ideas they like (or don’t like).
If they disagree, help them build their conflict-resolution skills.
Remind them to speak with respect, listen to other people, and perhaps even develop a new idea together
that everyone likes.
Instead of stepping in and making the decision for them, help them talk about the pros and cons of each
project.
To help Cadettes zero in on their top choices, ask open-ended questions, such as:
• Which of these project ideas sounds like the most fun?
• Which projects would help you learn something new?
• Which ones will make you feel proud when you’re done?
To help them think about which projects are realistic, ask open-ended questions, such as:
• Are there any ideas that might be hard to do right now?
will probably cost a lot of money to do X. As a troop, we have $X to spend. What do you think we
• Itshould
do? We could put it on a list to do later or we could come up with another idea that doesn’t cost
so much. What do you think?
If Cadettes are divided between a few ideas, ask them to choose one top idea and keep the others as
backups. You can also have girls vote; just make sure that anyone whose idea wasn’t chosen knows that it
was a good idea and that it might be used later.
Cadettes may reach an agreement quickly. If they don’t, note the top 2 or 3 ideas and facilitate an agreement
using “fist to five”:
• If you’re holding up 5 fingers, you love it!
• 4 fingers: it’s good.
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Take Action 1
• 3 fingers: you’re OK with the idea.
• 2 fingers: you’re OK with it but perhaps want to make a little change.
• 1 finger: you’d like to talk about making more changes.
• And a closed fist, no fingers: you really don’t like it!
After Cadettes make a decision, have girls do a group cheer.
SAY:
Now that you’ve decided on your project, you’ll brainstorm ideas about how you want to do your Take
Action project.
Offer things for Cadettes to think about, depending on what Cadettes want to do. For example:
If girls want to make a video, how will they film it?
o What do they want to say?
o Do they want to wear costumes?
o Do they want to use music?
oHow will they show it to people: at a school assembly, at a gathering of their families, by having an
adult post it (safely) online?
If girls want to create posters for their school, what materials will they need?
o Who can they ask for permission to put the posters on the walls?
oHow should they ask for permission? If they want to make a presentation to the principal, what
should they say?
o Once they get permission, what should the posters say?
o What will they look like? When do they want to hang up the posters?
o Do they want to get other students to join them?
The ideas are endless! Keep It Girl-Led by giving just one or two examples and then see where the girls
take it.
Remind girls that good teamwork is important. Encourage girls to take turns; make sure each girl has a role.
SAY:
Is there anything you need to make in order to carry out your project? Is there someone you need to ask
for help?
How could you do that? What would you say?
(Note to Volunteers: You may need to pave the way for Cadettes to Take Action by calling school or town
officials to get permission for what the girls want to do. Or set up a time for them to meet the officials to
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Take Action 1
make their Take Action proposal. If possible, guide the conversation so Cadettes come up with ideas about
how you can help them so they have the experience of connecting with others to Take Action.)
Offer positive feedback and specific examples of what you observed, such as girls listening to each other,
cooperation, and compromising.
Keep a list of the “to do” items Cadettes are suggesting, for example: materials they need, people they need
to talk to, etc.
Activity 4: Closing Ceremony: Get Ready to Take Action!
Overview
Cadettes make a plan for their Take Action project.
Time Allotment
10 minutes
Materials
On a poster board or whiteboard, write: My Take Action Project Is____________. Then create columns
for the following:
•
What I Need:
o People: Who can help with your project? How many people will you need?
o Supplies: What will you need to create posters? Print handouts?
o A space: Will you need a place to do your project? Do you need transportation to get somewhere?
o Money: Do you need to put together a budget? Will you use cookie earnings to support this project?
o What else?
Steps
Have Cadettes prepare for their Take Action project by making a “to do” list. Then have girls form a
Friendship Circle.
SAY:
You made a team decision about your Take Action project.
Write the Take Action project on the poster board/whiteboard.
SAY:
The next step will be to create and carry out the project in your next meeting.
Have girls fill in the “to dos” on the poster board/whiteboard.
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Take Action 1
SAY:
People: Who can help with your project?
Supplies: Will you need to create posters? Print handouts?
A space: Will you need a place to do your project? Do you need transportation to get somewhere?
Money: Do you need to put together a budget? Will you use cookie earnings to support this project?
What else?
(Note to volunteer: Remind Cadettes about any materials they might need, a reminder for girls to bring
props if they’re performing a skit, names of people girls need to talk to, etc.)
SAY:
Be sure to share your Take Action project idea with your friends and family and ask for their help and
support.
Remember, Cadettes can change the world!
End the meeting with a Friendship Squeeze.
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Take Action 2
OVERVIEW
Notes to Volunteers:
Cadette Take Action Requirements
The Cadette Outdoor Journey consists of three badges—Night Owl, Trailblazing, Primitive Camper—and three
Take Action meetings.
To complete the Outdoor Journey, have girls complete the meetings in the following order:
• Night Owl badge (2 meetings)
• Trailblazing badge (2 meetings)
• Primitive Camper badge (2 meetings)
• Take Action (3 meetings)
Girls must complete a Take Action project at the end of the Cadette Outdoor Journey.
Get Help for Take Action
There are three Take Action meetings: one for planning, one for creating and carrying out a project, and one
for awards and celebration. Look for this helpful Take Action Guide in the Meeting Aids resources section:
Girl Scout Volunteer Take Action Guide: Find out the difference between community service and a
Take Action project, steps for a Take Action project, how to make a project sustainable, and ways girls
can Take Action.
•
Make the Most of the Take Action Meetings
Use the talking points (but make them your own): In each session, you’ll find suggested talking points
under the heading “SAY.” Some volunteers, especially new ones, find it helpful to follow the script. Others
use the talking points as a guide and deliver the information in their own words. Either way is just fine.
Add an extra meeting: The meetings are each designed for 90 minutes. It’s perfectly OK to add a meeting to
your Outdoor Journey plan if you feel girls need more time completing the Take Action project.
Use Girl Scouts’ three processes: Girl-Led, Learning By Doing, Cooperative Learning—these three processes
are the key to making sure girls have fun in Girl Scouts and keep coming back.
“Learning by doing” and “cooperative learning” are built into this Journey, thanks to the hands-on activities
and tips. You’ll also find “keep it girl-led” tips in the meeting plans. They’ll help you create an experience
where girls know they can make choices and have their voices heard.
Read “Think-Pair-Share” in Meeting Aids: Find out how to make sure all girls are heard when making
team decisions.
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Take Action 2
Leave time for the Closing Ceremony: If girls are having fun doing an activity, you may be tempted to skip
the Closing Ceremony so they can keep going, but the Closing Ceremony is absolutely key to their learning,
especially when you take time for reflection. One of the most important components of any activity is
allowing time for the girls to reflect on what they have learned. Ask girls:
• What did you learn? What did you like best?
• How would you share what you learned with others?
• In what ways did your troop work together?
Complete the surveys: Be sure to complete the surveys in the Volunteer Toolkit about your experiences.
Your input is important! The data collected is used to enhance the program.
Prepare Ahead
Gather supplies for the Take Action project. For example, girls may need:
•
o A smartphone or camera if girls are creating a video
o Poster board if they’re making signs
oA laptop if girls are making PowerPoint slides for a presentation to the school principal, park
superintendent, or city council
o Material for costumes if they’re putting on a skit
o Paper and markers to create list of after-project partners
you need more adult helpers, let them know the time and place of the meeting and brief them on
• Ifwhat
the girls are doing.
• Bring the Take Action “to do list” on the poster board/whiteboard from previous meeting.
• Talk to people who are needed to help Cadettes to complete their Take Action project. For example:
oIf the girls have decided to make posters about saving water for their school or local library, call the
school/library office to set up a time when the Cadettes can make their proposal in person.
oIf they want to put on a skit at the community center, talk to an administrator about how to arrange
that.
oIf they want to make a presentation to the city council or with a park superintendent, call the office
to find out how to schedule that.
location doesn’t have a flag, bring a small one from home to either hang or have the
• Ifgirlsyourtakemeeting
turns holding.
• For Activity 2: Opening Ceremony: Print out or make a poster of the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
Get Help from Your Family and Friends Network
Your Friends and Family Network can include:
Girls’ parents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, cousins, and friends.
Other volunteers who have offered to help with the meeting.
•
•
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exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Take Action 2
Ask your network to help:
Bring supplies.
Bring a camera, smartphone, or video camera to document the meetings.
Assist with helping girls come up with and create their Take Action project.
•
•
•
Award Connection
In the final Take Action meeting, Cadettes will earn their Take Action award.
From your council shop or the Girl Scout website, buy the Take Action awards, one for each Cadette.
•
Meeting Length
90 minutes
The times given for each activity may be different depending on how many Cadettes are in your troop,
so adjust accordingly.
Give Cadettes 10- and 5-minute warnings before they need to wrap up the last activity so you’ll have
time for the Closing Ceremony.
There is no snack time activity in these meetings, but there’s enough extra time built in for snack
breaks if girls want them.
•
•
•
MATERIALS LIST
Activity 1: As Girls Arrive: Plan!
Poster paper or whiteboard with “To-Do list” from previous meeting
Colored markers
Pens and pencils
•
•
•
Activity 2: Opening Ceremony: Why Is Our Project Important?
Flag
Printout or poster of the Girl Scout Promise and Law
Paper
Colored markers
•
•
•
•
Activity 3: Taking Action!
Paper
Pens or colored markers
•
•
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Take Action 2
Activity 4: Closing Ceremony: How Will Our Project Last?
Paper
Markers
•
•
Awards
Girls do not receive any awards in this meeting.
DETAILED ACTIVITY PLAN
Activity 1: As Girls Arrive: Plan!
Time Allotment
10 minutes
Materials
Poster paper or whiteboard with “Take Action To-Do list” from previous meeting
Colored markers
Pens and pencils
•
•
•
Steps
Have girls go over their plan about what will need to be done to complete their Take Action project.
SAY:
You came up with a Take Action project in your last meeting. As a group, go over the “Take Action to-do list”
you came up with at the last meeting to make sure you have everything you need.
If something’s missing or still needs to happen, come up with a plan for what to do.
Activity 2: Opening Ceremony: Why Is Our Project Important?
Time Allotment
10 minutes
Materials
Flag
Printout or poster of the Girl Scout Promise and Law
•
•
Steps
Recite the Pledge of Allegiance and the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
•
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Take Action 2
• Have Cadettes talk about why they think their Take Action project is important to the community.
SAY:
You’ve learned about how to make a difference in the world, to spot problems, work as a team, and
come up with solutions. Now you’re going to help others by taking action—and we know that you will
make a difference!
In our last meeting, you came up with a plan for your Take Action project.
Finish this sentence: We’re about to team up and Take Action to_______.
Ask each Cadette to share with the group the focus of their Take Action project.
Activity 3: Taking Action!
Time Allotment
45 minutes
Materials
Any materials Cadettes need to create and carry out their Take Action project.
•
Steps
Cadettes work together to build their Take Action project. Using the information on the poster board, have
girls create all the components of their project. If need be, girls can break into teams to do different things.
SAY:
Check your master list of what you need to do to create your project. If you need to break into teams to do
certain things, that’s OK.
Help girls create what they need (posters, videos, presentations, costumes, materials, and scripts).
If girls have a “next step” in their project, remind them about it. For example, they may have decided to
start a community garden. What will they need to build the garden? Can they get donations of plants, soil,
fertilizers? Who can help them with the work ahead? Permits needed?
If you’ve done some “behind the scenes” work since the last meeting, such as setting up a meeting for girls
with officials or securing permission for their project, let them know about it now.
Congratulate the girls if they’ve completed their Take Action project in this meeting (if, for example, they’ve
created a video that an adult will now share with friends and family or post safely online).
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exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Take Action 2
Activity 4: Closing Ceremony: How Will Our Project Last?
Time Allotment
10 minutes
Materials
Paper
Markers
•
•
Steps
Have Cadettes come up with ideas about how to make their project sustainable and plan their Take Action
celebration.
SAY:
How do you think you can keep this project going even when you’re not around? That’s called making
it sustainable.
To create sustainable change, you want to make your solution permanent, educate and inspire others to be
part of a change, or change a rule, regulation or law.
Here’s an example:
You want to help people conserve water by collecting rainwater to water plants.
You can make it permanent this way:
o Make rain collection devices for family or friends that can be installed in their yards.
o Give them a list of different ways to use rainwater, and explain how they’re helping the Earth.
You can educate and inspire others this way:
oCreate a handout, video tutorial, or show-and-tell presentation about how to make a rain collection
device, how to use rainwater, and how that helps the Earth.
How can you keep your Take Action project sustainable?
Offer prompts for Cadettes based on the Take Action project idea, such as:
o Will school or park staff be willing to care for the garden?
o Could you ask an older girl troop to help out?
o Should we make a presentation to the community to ask for their help?
Make a list of the possibilities and decide on several approaches for action.
Now you can plan your celebration!
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Take Action 2
Offer prompts for girls to come up with their own ideas for the celebration:
o Do you want to make a special display of our Take Action photos or show our videos?
o Do you want special music? Special snacks?
o Is there anyone you want to thank?
o What do you want to do for the Closing Ceremony?
Write down their ideas and tell them you’ll help organize this for the next meeting.
SAY:
Let’s end the meeting with a high-five for Take Action.
For the next three things I’m about to say, high-five the girl next to you.
Every Girl Scout, from Daisy to Ambassador, does Take Action projects.
(Girls high five.)
It doesn’t matter how big or small your project is, it makes a difference in the world.
(Girls high five.)
You’re a leader because you work as a team to make the world a better place.
(Girls high five.)
End the meeting with a Friendship Squeeze.
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Take Action 3
OVERVIEW
Notes to Volunteers:
Cadette Take Action Requirements
The Cadette Outdoor Journey consists of three badges—Night Owl, Trailblazing, Primitive Camper—and three
Take Action meetings.
To complete the Outdoor Journey, have girls complete the meetings in the following order:
• Night Owl badge (2 meetings)
• Trailblazing badge (2 meetings)
• Primitive Camper badge (2 meetings)
• Take Action (3 meetings)
Girls must complete a Take Action project at the end of the Cadette Outdoor Journey.
Make the Most of the Take Action Meetings
Use the talking points (but make them your own): In each session, you’ll find suggested talking points under
the heading “SAY.” Some volunteers, especially new ones, find it helpful to follow the script. Others use the
talking points as a guide and deliver the information in their own words. Either way is just fine.
Add an extra meeting: The meetings are each designed for 90 minutes. It’s perfectly OK to add a meeting to
your Outdoor Journey plan if you feel girls need more time completing the Take Action project.
Use Girl Scouts’ three processes: Girl-Led, Learning By Doing, Cooperative Learning: these three processes
are the key to making sure girls have fun in Girl Scouts and keep coming back.
“Learning by doing” and “cooperative learning” are built into this Journey, thanks to the hands-on activities
and tips. You’ll also find “keep it girl-led” tips in the meeting plans. They’ll help you create an experience
where girls know they can make choices and have their voices heard.
Complete the surveys: Be sure to complete the surveys in the Volunteer Toolkit about your experiences.
Your input is important! The data collected is used to enhance the program.
Prepare Ahead
Bring decorations and snacks.
Print out or make posters of the Girl Scout Promise and Law for girls to hang around meeting room for
final celebration.
Bring a music system.
Collect all the materials girls created from the Journey, photos of their Take Action projects, and photos
and videos you’ve taken along the way.
•
•
•
•
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Take Action 3
any special guests (such as people in the community who helped the girls with their Take Action
• Invite
project).
• Send reminders to the girls’ families.
• From your council shop or the Girl Scout website, buy the Take Action award, one for each girl.
location doesn’t have a flag, bring a small one from home to either hang or have the
• Ifgirlsyourtakemeeting
turns holding.
Get Help from Your Family and Friends Network
Your Friends and Family Network can include:
Girls’ parents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, cousins, and friends.
Other volunteers who have offered to help with the meeting.
•
•
Ask your network to help:
Bring supplies for the Take Action celebration.
Bring a camera, smartphone, or video camera to document the celebration meeting.
•
•
Award Connection
In this meeting, Cadettes earn their Take Action award.
From your council shop or the Girl Scout website, buy the Take Action awards, one for each Cadette.
•
Meeting Length
90 minutes
MATERIALS LIST
Activity 1: As Girls Arrive: Get Ready to Celebrate!
Posters of the Girl Scout Promise and Law
Any items girls want to display (such as photos or videos from their Take Action project and
camping trip)
Photos and videos from the Journey meetings
Music system
Decorations
Snacks
•
•
•
•
•
•
Activity 2: Opening Ceremony: Welcome!
Flag
•
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Take Action 3
Activity 3: Take Action Awards Ceremony and Celebration
Take Action award
•
Note: You can buy the Take Action award from your council shop or on the Girl Scout website.
Activity 4: Closing the Take Action Circle
None
•
DETAILED ACTIVITY PLAN
Activity 1: As Girls Arrive: Get Ready to Celebrate!
Time Allotment
10 minutes
Materials
Posters of the Girl Scout Promise and Law
Any items girls want to display (such as photos or videos from their Take Action project and
camping trips)
Music system
Decorations
Snacks
•
•
•
•
•
Steps
Have Cadettes set up the meeting room by putting up posters and decorations, including posters of the
Girl Scout Promise and Law. Make sure they greet guests as they walk in and offer them a snack.
When guests have all arrived, have girls give a warm welcome to their guests.
Activity 2: Opening Ceremony: Welcome!
Time Allotment
15 minutes
Materials
Flag
•
Steps
Have Cadettes recite the Pledge of Allegiance and Girl Scout Promise and Law, then ask them to introduce
any special guests.
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Take Action 3
Activity 3: Take Action Award Ceremony and Celebration
Time Allotment
55 minutes
Materials
Take Action award
•
Note: You can buy this award from your council shop or on the GSUSA website.
Steps
Girls stand in front of guests and share their Take Action project with the group. They can make this into a
“show and tell” by showing before and after photos or video from their Take Action project.
Ask Cadettes to stand in front of their audience.
SAY:
Each girl will share something special or important that she learned on the Outdoor Journey.
Give each Cadette a chance to speak.
SAY:
Please step forward when I say your name to accept your awards.
Lead a round of applause for each girl as she steps forward.
SAY:
You have completed your Outdoor Journey and earned your badges. Now you are earning your Take Action
award because you did something to make the world a better place.
Now we’ll start our celebration!
Include any activities—such as taking photos, dancing, or singing a special song—that girls decided to do as
part of the celebration.
Activity 4: Closing Ceremony: Closing the Take Action Circle
Time Allotment
10 minutes
Materials
None
•
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Take Action 3
Steps
Cadettes and guests stand in a circle. Cadettes lead the closing ceremony and end with a Friendship
Squeeze.
SAY:
We’d like to end our time together with a closing ceremony.
Have Cadettes and guests stand in a circle and invite their guests to join in.
Ask girls to go around the circle and say a word or two about what their Take Action project meant to them.
Have Cadettes lead the close of the meeting in the way they chose, such as a song, poem, or a cheer.
SAY:
And now we’ll finish with our Girl Scout tradition, a Friendship Squeeze.
End the meeting with a Friendship Squeeze with Cadettes and guests.
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Cadette
Outdoor Journey Meeting Aids
Leave No Trace
An important part of preparing girls to head outdoors is to help them understand and
embrace the seven basic principles of Leave No Trace.
Leave No Trace principles help girls understand how to enjoy the natural world in a way
that avoids human-created impacts. These principles can be applied anywhere girls go
outside, whether it’s a backyard, a schoolyard, a state park or the backcountry.
Depending on your troop level, share or create a handout with these Leave No Trace
principles for appropriate age groups:
Leave No Trace for Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors:
Know Before You Go.
Pack the right gear for your outdoor trip. Know the rules for where you are going.
Choose The Right Path.
Stay on marked trails, don’t take shortcuts and trample plants and flowers.
Trash Your Trash.
Make sure to put all trash, including food, in a bag or covered trash can.
Leave What You Find.
Don’t pick flowers and plants, hurt trees, or collect anything from the outdoors, like
pinecones or seashells.
Be Careful With Fire.
If allowed to build a fire, make sure it’s a small one. Follow safety rules. And make sure
the fire is completely out before you leave.
Respect Wildlife.
Watch wildlife from a distance.
Be Kind To Other Visitors.
Be nice to others you meet in the outdoors. Try not to make loud noises.
Leave No Trace for Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors:
Plan Ahead.
Find out about the place you are going. Are there special regulations or concerns for the
area? Do you have the right gear for the weather?
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces.
Stay on established trails. Camp at established campsites whenever possible.
Dispose of Waste Properly.
Pack out what you carry in including all trash, leftover food and litter.
Leave What You Find.
Leave nature as it is, which means leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you
find them. Don’t build structures, dig ditches or cut healthy trees or bushes.
Minimize Campfire Impacts.
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exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
Campfires are a special part of a Girl Scout’s outdoors experience: Only start a fire in an
established fire ring, keep it small, and put it out properly.
Respect Wildlife.
Don’t approach, feed or follow any animals, watch them from a distance.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors.
Respect other visitors so they have a good experience in the outdoors, too. Yield to
other users on the trail, camp away from trails and other visitors, keep your voice and
noise level down.
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Brainstorming Tips: Think, Pair, Share
Think, Pair, Share is a great way to make sure all girls have a chance to be heard
when making troop decisions.
HOW TO RUN A THINK, PAIR, SHARE ACTIVITY:
Lead girls through the basic steps by telling them they will:
Break into small groups.
Listen to the question or prompt.
Think about their answers.
• Girls may want to write their answers down.
• Twenty seconds should be enough time, since girls will need to sit quietly.
Pair with other girls.
• Girls talk with one to three other girls (depending on group size), making sure
everyone has a chance to share their answers. If there’s time, it’s OK for girls to
ask questions about each other’s answers.
• For pairs, 20 seconds should be enough time. If your troop enjoys discussion,
consider extending this to 1 to 2 minutes.
Share with the group.
• Girls share their answers with the larger group.
• This can be completed in 20–30 seconds, but will run longer based on group size
and how the group sharing is done.
There are two ways to set up group sharing:
Strongly recommended: One girl shares the best/most interesting/summary answer for
the group. This approach is great if you’re running short on time. It also helps develop
conflict resolution and compromise skills.
Optional: Each girl shares her partner’s answer. This helps girls develop active listening
skills, but will run longer because all girls are sharing.
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Tips for Working with Multi-Level Groups for Older Girls
Leading a multi-level troop can be lots of fun, but also challenging!
Multi-level troops are naturally set up to create a more girl-led environment.
•
Older girls have a unique opportunity to lead. They can serve as role models for
younger girls, creating an enhanced leadership experience for all involved. They
can explain more advanced concepts, which gives younger girls a powerful nearpeer experience.
•
Younger girls have aspiration built right into their experience. As they interact
with the older girls, they learn what’s possible for them.
Multi-level troops offer all girls a diversity of perspective. When they do an activity
together:
•
Older girls approach it with confidence and skill, based on their experience.
•
Younger girls bring a sense of wonder and imagination that makes the activity
more creative and fun for the older girls.
Follow these tips and insights to help make your multi-level troop experience with
Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors fun, not challenging:
•
Offer younger girls more concrete guidance to help them express their thoughts
and come up with ideas.
•
Older girls will have more nuanced understandings of interpersonal interactions
and how Girl Scouts can take action, as well as more in-depth knowledge about
the subject matter. They will bring up more complex concepts, which won’t be
familiar to younger girls. This is a great opportunity to ask older girls to share
their knowledge with younger girls. Ask questions like, “Can you give us an
example of that?” or “Can you describe that for everyone in the group?”
•
Sometimes older girls have a variety of experience and it seems impossible to
get all the girls on the same page. That’s all OK; just customize your activities
based on your experience with your troop and make sure they have the
opportunity to come to a consensus.
•
Younger girls might need more help and it’s natural that older girls will help them,
too. But make sure to treat older girls like troop members, not as mini-troop
leaders.
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•
Help older girls feel welcomed and valued by giving them leadership
opportunities, such as guiding a discussion or acting as a scribe. Cadettes may
want to earn their Leader in Action award by mentoring the younger girls.
•
Give older girls more responsibility in troop decision-making. While all girls
should be involved in decision-making at some level, older girls will be able to
offer good insights about how to make things work better for them. When older
girls make a suggestion that can reasonably be implemented, try it out and
acknowledge their contribution.
•
Encourage all girls to help hand out supplies and snacks and be part of how the
meeting is run.
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Leave No Trace Principles for Older Girls
Plan Ahead.
Find out about the place where you are going. Are there special regulations or concerns
for the area? Do you have the right gear for the weather?
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces.
Stay on established trails. Camp at established campsites whenever possible.
Dispose of Waste Properly.
Pack out what you carry in including all trash, leftover food, and litter.
Leave What You Find.
Leave nature as it is, which means leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you
find them. Don’t build structures, dig ditches, or cut healthy trees or bushes.
Minimize Campfire Impacts.
Campfires are a special part of a Girl Scout’s outdoor experience: Only start a fire in an
established fire ring, keep it small, and put it out properly.
Respect Wildlife.
Don’t approach, feed, or follow any animals—watch them from a distance.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors.
Respect other visitors so they have a good experience in the outdoors, too. Yield to
other users on the trail, camp away from trails and other visitors, keep your voice and
noise level down.
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Night Owl 1
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Night Owl 1
D
O
O
N
G
T
I
G
H
Y
A
S
S THE WO R L D
S
O
R
AC
Language
“Good Night”
Say It This Way
German Guten nacht
goo-ten knock
Tibetan
Simjah nahnggo
sim-shag nang-go
Italian Buonanotte
bu-oh-na no-tay
Norwegian
God natt
goo naht
Japanese
Oyasuminasai oh-yah-so-me-nah-sigh
French Bonne nuit bohn nwee
Swahili Lala salama
lah-lah sah-lah-mah
Polish Dobranocdoe-brah-nots
Hebrew Laila tov
lie-lah tohv
Tamil Iniya iravu
ee-nee-yah ee-ra-voo
Russian Spokojnoj nochi
spah-kohy-nuhy noh-chee
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Girl Scouts Readiness in Camping
Minimal Impact Outdoor Skills
A core value of Girl Scouting is to encourage environmental stewardship and leadership
by practicing Leave No Trace principles and minimal impact camping to help protect the
natural environment.
Leave No Trace skills are reflected in the Outdoor Journeys as girls move through a
progressive series of activities, like backyard campouts, overnights at Girl Scout
facilities, hikes in local and state parks, or trips in back country wilderness areas.
Some of the concepts of minimal impact camping can be taught before girls go
camping. Girls need to understand that their daily actions have an effect on the
environment. For example:
• At troop meetings each girl should be responsible for cleaning up after herself,
not wasting materials, turning off unnecessary lights, conserving water, and
leaving the meeting place cleaner then she found it.
When girls move from an indoor setting to the outdoors, have them:
• Find out what to wear for different kinds of weather.
• Go outdoors for a hike, backyard sleep out, or nature walk.
• Appreciate the environment by spotting different types of plants, or watching
birds and animals.
• Learn safety rules for outdoor activities.
• Learn to read a map to get where she wants to go.
• Try some simple camp food preparation.
The First Overnight Trip
Overnights away from home allow girls to test themselves in a new but safe
circumstance that they helped plan and prepare. Girls grow as a result because they:
• Learn teamwork skills.
• Forge friendships.
• Build self-confidence.
• Learn how to live and work in a new environment.
• Build bonds with adults.
• Increase their skills and feel good about their accomplishments.
The first time away on Girl Scout trip is a big step and real adventure, especially for
younger girls. Consider these guidelines for a girl’s first overnight:
• She should want to go.
• She should not be afraid to be away from her home or family overnight (and her
family should be prepared to let her go).
• She should be able to cope with new circumstances such as:
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•
•
•
•
o meeting new people
o visiting strange places
o darkness (no electricity or nightlight), different night noises,
insects, and other small creatures
o sleeping in a strange bed or on a pad on the floor
She can function as a member of the group.
She is willing to sleep, eat, and play with all girls, not just her best friends.
She can be flexible, not always have her own way.
She can share her space and manage it with little privacy.
The following indicators can help you know if a girl has the skills and knowledge to
enjoy an overnight experience:
• She can participate in planning a simple trip; use a kaper chart or similar
assignment sheet, and follow written, verbal, or illustrated instructions for food
preparation.
• She can wash dishes, clean up the kitchen for cooking area, and store food
properly.
• She has practiced packing and repacking her luggage, unrolling and rolling her
bedroll or sleeping bag, using a flashlight, etc.
• She has been on a series of day trips, has participated in cookouts, or has been
on an overnight backyard or family camp trip.
What type of overnight?
When girls are ready for an overnight camping trip, the next step is to decide what type
of experience is right. Usually:
• Younger girls camp in lodges, cabins, backyards or platform tents at an
established Girl Scout site.
• Older, more experience campers choose a more challenging type of camping
such as backpacking, horse packing, or a canoe trip.
Your Girl Scout council has policies and procedures regarding appropriate distances
and types of trips for girls and can provide guidance. Always consult Safety Activity
Checkpoints for important camping guidelines.
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CAMPSITE CHECKLIST
Is the area for your campsite flat and dry?
Were the sticks and stones cleared away?
Did you set up a separate area for cooking, hand washing, and dishwashing?
For your cooking area:
Can animals get at your food?
Are your coolers stashed in animal-proof containers?
Are there two trees nearby where you can tie a rope between them to hang things?
For your sleeping area:
Are the tents spread out so there isn’t too much traffic in one area?
Are the openings to your tents facing each other?
For your fire building area:
Are you using a fire ring that is already at the campsite?
What kind of sticks are you using to build your fire?
Are there any trees or plants near your fire ring?
What size fire will you make?
How will you extinguish your fire?
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Girl Scout Volunteer Take Action Guide
What’s the difference between a community service project and a Take Action
project?
Community Service makes the world better by addressing a problem “right now.” For
example, collecting cans of food for a food pantry feeds people “right now.” Gathering
toys for a homeless family shelter makes kids happy “right now.” Providing clothing and
toiletries to people after a fire or flood helps them “right now.” These acts of kindness
are important ways to help people—right now.
Take Action encourages girls to develop a project that is sustainable. That means that
the problem continues to be addressed, even after the project is over. Sustainability
simply means coming up with a solution that lasts.
For example, girls might want to do something about trash in a local park. If they go to
the park and pick up trash, they’ve solved the problem for today—but there will be more
trash to pick up tomorrow.
Instead, girls could explore why there’s so much trash. Here’s what they might discover:
1. There aren’t enough trash cans in the park.
2. The trash cans are hard to find.
3. People have to walk out of their way to throw away trash because of where the
cans are placed.
4. People don’t realize the importance of putting trash in the trashcans.
Here’s how girls might address these issues:
Issues 1–3: Make a presentation to the city council to report on their findings and make
suggestions for improvement, such as adding more trash cans or moving them to more
visible or convenient positions.
Issue 4: Create a public awareness campaign that encourages people to use the trash
cans instead of littering.
What are the steps of a Take Action project?
Girls team up to:
• Identify a problem
• Come up with a sustainable solution
• Develop a team plan
• Put the plan into action
• Reflect on what they learned
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Keep it girl-led: Girls should actively participate in each step in order for this to be girlled. Younger girls will need more guidance, but they can and should decide as a team
what problem they want to address.
How do girls make their project sustainable?
Here are three ways to create sustainable change:
1. Make your solution permanent.
2. Educate and inspire others to be part of the change.
3. Change a rule, regulation or law.
Here are some specific examples you can use to help girls understand what sustainable
Take Action projects look like.
Keep it girl-led: These examples are intended to give a sense of what a Take Action
project could look like at different grade levels. Please do not choose a project from this
list for girls to do! If girls are told what to do, they won’t learn key leadership skills, such
as decision-making, compromise, conflict resolution, and teamwork.
Issue: We could conserve water if more people collected rainwater and used it to water
plants.
Solution 1: Make it permanent.
Make rain collection devices for family or friends that can be installed in their yards.
Give them a list of different ways to use rainwater and how they’re helping the Earth.
Solution 2: Educate and inspire others.
Create a handout, video tutorial, or show-and-tell presentation about how to make a rain
collection device and how to use rainwater—and how that helps the Earth.
Issue: Parents often run their engines outside the school as they wait to pick up or drop
off their children, which pollutes the air.
Solution: Change a rule, regulation or law.
Make a presentation to the school board or administrators about why this is a problem
and suggest a new rule that makes the pick-up/drop-off area a “no idling” zone.
Issue: There’s no sidewalk along a street near the elementary school, which makes it
dangerous for children to walk home.
Solution: Make it permanent.
Make a presentation to the city council about the problem and suggest that they build a
sidewalk.
Note: Even if the council doesn’t vote to create a sidewalk, the girls have earned their
Take Action award because they came up with a sustainable solution and took action
through their presentation.
Extra Inspiration: Do an online search for “Girl Scout Brownies Convince City Hall to
Build Sidewalk.”
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Issue: There have been several accidents at a busy intersection that doesn’t have a
stoplight.
Solution: Make it permanent.
Research the number of accidents and make a presentation to the city council, asking
that they have a stoplight installed.
Issue: The local park doesn’t have a swing for children with disabilities.
Solution: Make it permanent.
Make a presentation to the city council explaining the problem and offering to use troop
money from the cookie sale to help pay for the swing.
Extra Inspiration: Do an online search for “How One Brownie Troop Became Social
Entrepreneurs.”
Issue: We should recognize women who have helped their communities and made the
world a better place in all kinds of ways.
Solution: Educate and inspire others.
Research the “hidden figures” in your community (unsung women who’ve done great
things). Create a display about their accomplishments for a library or community center.
Issue: The local shelter is having a hard time getting rescue animals adopted.
Solution: Educate and inspire others.
Use your photography skills to create pet portraits for the shelter’s website. Use your
writing skills to craft heart-warming bios for each portrait.
33 Ways to Take Action
1. Make and install something outside (benches, bird houses, dog run, ropes
course, sensory trail, Little Library, etc.)
2. Plant something (butterfly garden, tree, wind chime garden, etc.)
3. Make something inside (Maker Space, reading room, etc.)
4. Create a collection (children’s books children’s hospital or family shelter, oral
histories for town museum, etc.)
5. Advocate for building a permanent community improvement (sidewalk, bridge,
park, streetlights, stoplight, walking trail, etc.)
6. Do a show-and-tell
7. Create a poster campaign
8. Perform a skit
9. Make a “how to” handout
10. Draw a comic
11. Give a speech
12. Write and perform a song
13. Make an animated movie
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14. Make a live-action movie
15. Make a presentation
16. Create a workshop (perhaps in partnership with a local business or
organization) to teach a skill such as coding, camping, canoeing, robotics,
sewing, car care, healthy eating, gardening, home repair, budgeting, etc.
17. Create a workshop to teach others about healthy living (exercise, nutrition,
mental health, etc.)
18. Create a social media campaign
19. Make video tutorials to teach a skill
20. Organize an email campaign
21. Organize a petition
22. Organize an event (concert, play, poetry slam, art exhibit, sporting event, field
day) to raise awareness about an issue
23. Make a “playbook” to help others follow your lead (how to mentor robotics
teams, organize a workshop or event, advocate with city council, create an
online petition, change a law, etc.)
24. Make an app that helps people take action on an issue
25. Create a website
26. Write an op-ed or letter to the editor of a newspaper or magazine
27. Start a blog
28. Make a presentation to your school principal
29. Make a presentation to your school board
30. Make a presentation to your city council
31. Speak up at your representative’s town hall meeting
32. Create an online petition
33. Advocate for a law with your state government
Need other ideas?
Check out “Girls Changing the World” on the GSUSA website
[http://www.girlscouts.org/en/for-girls/girls-changing-the-world.html]. Girls post their
Take Action and Bronze/Silver/Gold Award projects on this site. You can search by
project topic or grade level. (And after the troop has done their project, please post it so
they can inspire other girls!)
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Handout: Girl Scouts Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards
Awards
Girl Scout
BRONZE Award®
Girl Scout
SILVER Award®
Girl Scout
GOLD Award®
Grade
Girls must be in 4th or 5th
grades and a registered
Girl Scout Junior.
Girls must be in 6th, 7th, or 8th
grades and a registered Girl Scout
Cadette.
Girls must be in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grades
and a registered Girl Scout Senior or Ambassador.
Overview
Complete a Junior Journey.
Be part of a group where
girls take the lead.
Take action on a
community issue the
group cares about.
Help and guidance
provided by the volunteer.
Suggested hours included
in the girl, adult, and
council material.
*Council approval needed
for any money-earning.
Complete a Cadette Journey.
Work as an individual or in a small
group where girls take the lead.
Take action on a community issue
that the girls care about.
Help and guidance provided by
the volunteer.
Suggested hours included in the
girl, adult, and council material.
*Council approval needed for any
money-earning.
Complete two Journeys (Senior or Ambassador)
or earn the Silver Award and complete one
Senior or Ambassador Journey.
Individually girl-led; girl selects and recruits her
project advisor.
Take action on a community issue the girl cares
about.
Help and guidance provided by project advisor.
Suggested hours included in the girl, adult, and
council material.
*Council approval needed for any
money-earning.
Take Action
Project
Group Take Action project
focuses on something the
girls care about that they
would like to improve
within their Girl Scout or
local community.
Puts the Promise and Law
into action.
Individual or group Take Action
project that focuses on something
girls care about and makes the
local neighborhood or community
better.
Puts the Promise and Law into
action.
Individual Take Action project that focuses on
something girls care about and
makes a lasting impact in the local community,
region, or beyond.
Puts the Promise and Law into action.
Sustainable
After the project is
complete, girls develop an
understanding of
sustainability by talking
together about how
solutions can be lasting.
Girls demonstrate an
understanding of sustainability
in the project plan and
implementation.
Take Action project includes provisions to ensure
sustainability.
Global
After the project is
complete, girls develop an
understanding of the
wider world by talking
together about how
others may experience the
same problem that their
project helped resolve.
Girls connect with new friends
outside their immediate
community, learn how others
have solved similar problems, and
determine whether others’ ideas
can help with their plan.
Girls identify national and/or global links to
their selected issue. They learn from others
and develop a plan to share the results of their
project beyond the local community.
Project
Approval
Volunteer
Volunteer or council
Council or council’s Gold Award Committee
Resources
Junior Journey book
Bronze Award guidelines
on GSUSA website
Adult guide on GSUSA
website
Council guide on Pearl
Council learning
opportunities
Cadette Journey book
Silver Award guidelines on GSUSA
website
Adult guide on GSUSA website
Council guide on Pearl
Council learning opportunities
Senior and/or Ambassador Journey books
Gold Award guidelines on GSUSA website and
Go Gold Online
Adult guide on GSUSA website
Council guide on Pearl
Council learning opportunities
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exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.
7 Steps to Take Action
1. Choose an issue
• Make a list of all the issues you care about, from hunger to homelessness to
caring for animals.
• Look around your community. What problems do you see? Add them to your
list.
• Pick one issue to focus on right now, and save that list of ideas for future
Take Action projects.
2. Learn about your issue
• Talk to experts to get more information.
• Talk to the people you want to help and ask them what they need.
3. Test possible solutions
• Brainstorm some possible solutions, and then get suggestions about how to
improve them from experts, the people you want to help, and others.
• Use the feedback to help you choose the one idea you want to focus on.
4. Make your solution sustainable so that the change continues even after the
project is done. You can:
• Make your project permanent. When you create something physical, the
change is lasting. For example, you could:
o install swings at your local park;
o convince the city council to build a new sidewalk or create bike lanes;
or
o make benches for an outdoor area at your school.
•
Spread the word. When you increase awareness of an issue, you inspire
others to take action, too. That “ripple effect” keeps the change going. For
example, you could:
o put on a skit at a school assembly about how to save water;
o create and post a video about the dangers of distracted driving; or
o develop a social media campaign to get teens across the country to
sign an anti-bullying pledge.
•
Change the rules. When you get a regulation or law changed, the effects will
last. For example, you could:
o lobby the school board to change rules about dress codes or computer
access;
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o research traffic accidents in your town and lobby for lower speed limits;
or
o work with the principal to create a “no idling” zone in front of the
school.
5. Make a plan
• Create a timeline of what you need to do.
• List all the resources you need, including materials and money.
• Ask other people—like friends, family, neighbors, teachers, and local
business owners—to help you.
6. Reflect
• When your project’s done, take some time to think about what worked, what
didn’t, and what you would do differently in the future. This step is key to
developing as a leader!
7. Celebrate
• Taking action to make the world a better place is a huge accomplishment. Pat
yourself on the back and thank everyone who helped you along the way!
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Multi-Level
The Girl Scout Promise
On my honor, I will try:
To serve God and my country,
To help people at all times,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law.
The Girl Scout Law
I will do my best to be
honest and fair,
friendly and helpful,
considerate and caring,
courageous and strong, and
responsible for what I say and do,
and to
respect myself and others,
respect authority,
use resources wisely,
make the world a better place, and
be a sister to every Girl Scout.
© 2017 GSUSA. All right reserved. Not for commercial use. This material is proprietary to GSUSA and may be used, reproduced, distributed
exclusively by GSUSA staff, councils, Girl Scout volunteers, service units and/or troops solely in connection with Girl Scouting.